WORLD TRADE
World Trade
Organization | | |
| | |
| |WT/TPR/OV/12 |
| |18 November 2009 |
| |(09-5716) |
| | |
|Trade Policy Review Body | |
OVERVIEW OF DEVELOPMENTS IN THE
INTERNATIONAL TRADING ENVIRONMENT[1]
ANNUAL REPORT BY THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL
PART A: TRADE AND TRADE-RELATED DEVELOPMENTS IN 2009
Table of Contents
Page
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 3
I. ECONOMIC AND TRADE TRENDS 7
A. Overview of the global crises 7
B. Outlook 7
C. Recent trade developments 8
1. Merchandise trade values 8
2. Trade in commercial services 12
D. Output and employment 13
E. Prices and exchange rates 16
F. Developing countries 18
1. Aid for trade 19
2. Trade financing 20
II. TRADE AND TRADE-RELATED POLICY DEVELOPMENTS 21
A. Trade measures 23
1. Tariffs 23
2. Trade remedy measures 25
3. Sanitary and phytosanitary measures 31
4. Technical barriers to trade (TBT) 31
5. Measures affecting trade in services 32
B. Trade policy reviews 33
C. Regional trade agreements 36
Page
III. FISCAL STIMULUS AND INDUSTRY AND FINANCIAL SECTOR SUPPORT MEASURES 39
A. Automobile industry 40
B. Government procurement 41
IV. TRANSPARENCY AND NOTIFICATIONS 43
ANNEX 1 Trade and trade-related measures (October 2008 – October 2009) 47
ANNEX 1(a) Trade facilitating measures (October 2008 – October 2009) 78
ANNEX 2 General economic stimulus measures (October 2008 – October 2009) 88
ANNEX 3 Measures for financial institutions (October 2008 – October 2009) 102
PART B SHAPING FACTORS FOR TRADE: LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Economic developments over the past twelve months are unprecedented in the history of the GATT/WTO. The financial crisis and consequent collapse of aggregate demand in Europe and North America created a global economic recession that has dragged down the volume of merchandise trade by over 10 per cent in 2009, back to the level at which it stood in 2005. Developing countries remain particularly vulnerable to further contraction of their exports, as well as to shortages of bank financing and declining FDI, falling commodity prices, reductions in earnings from remittances and uncertainty over future ODA flows. This has led to an exceptionally difficult situation for low-income countries that do not have the economic or social safety nets in place to withstand such shocks.
The size and suddenness of the economic crisis could have sparked a severe protectionist response. This has not occurred. Although there have been instances of slippage, in general terms the world economy is about as open for trade today as it was before the crisis started. New trade restrictions bore no responsibility for provoking the crisis, nor can they be claimed to have played more than a limited role in aggravating it at the global level.
As recorded in previous reports to the TPRB this year, there has been trade policy slippage, including by most of the G20 countries.[2] An early response to the effects of the crisis in some countries was to increase tariffs and non-tariff barriers on certain imports. By mid-year, export subsidies on dairy products had been re-instated by the European Union, Switzerland and the United States, and limits to state purchases of agricultural products had been removed in the European Union. Also, increased state aid was being channelled to certain services sectors and manufacturing industries, mainly in developed countries. More recently there has been an increase in the initiation of trade remedy investigations, particularly by emerging economies in the case of antidumping and safeguard measures, and by developed countries in the case of countervailing measures.
However, no WTO Member has retreated into widespread trade restriction or protectionism, nor has there been any significant instance of trade retaliation. The new trade-restricting or distorting measures that have been introduced since October 2008 (listed in Annex 1 of this Report) have covered collectively, at a maximum, 1 per cent of world merchandise trade. They have been concentrated in particular on agricultural and iron and steel products, followed at some distance by consumer electronics and textiles, clothing and footwear. Although they have certainly curtailed these trade flows, they have, in general, by no means brought them to a standstill and their effect on the overall decline in international trade has been secondary to factors such as global credit shortages and lack of aggregate demand. Nonetheless, in many cases they have taken their toll on bilateral trade flows, and in some cases are adding significantly to the adverse effects of the global recession on individual country's exports, economic activity and unemployment.
Many WTO Members have implemented measures to open up their economies and encourage the expansion of their trade and investment over the past twelve months, some as a deliberate policy response to help deal with the negative effects of the global crisis, others as a continuation of their national and regional programmes of trade liberalization and facilitation. Evidence from Trade Policy Reviews in 2009 confirms that most developing countries have kept to their existing trade policy course, including autonomous steps to liberalize imports in many cases. Very few have reacted to the crisis with trade restrictions. Zambia is an example of one of several African countries that, assisted by Aid for Trade, have continued with major reforms over the past twelve months to open up their economies, reforms that seem to have gone largely unnoticed outside Africa.[3]
The huge financial and fiscal stimulus programmes that were introduced to tackle the crisis by developed countries and some emerging economies have undoubtedly had important trade effects. Above all, they have helped to prevent an even bigger decline in international trade than has in fact occurred. Provisional data for the last few months are showing signs of some, albeit hesitant, recovery in trade flows as stimulus programmes begin to take effect and boost aggregate demand.
At the same time, such large injections of public money into the productive sectors of the economy through state aids and subsidies, and of government influence over how it is spent, clearly have the potential to discriminate in favour of domestic producers and to distort international competition. Specific features of some of the stimulus programmes have caused particular concern. In particular, "Buy Local" requirements (and their "Hire/Invest/Lend Local" counterparts) have reportedly been attached, officially or unofficially, to some programmes, although by no means all as was shown by the inclusion of foreign banks in some of the financial rescue packages and by the car-scrapping schemes introduced by several countries in mid-year to boost demand for new automobiles.
Many WTO Members have requested more in-depth analysis of the trade effects of these stimulus programmes. Very few of their details have been notified to the WTO so that there is limited reliable information available on how they are being implemented. Also, the exceptional economic circumstances in which the programmes were introduced mean that there is no general model to analyse the trade effects of their components parts in isolation from the broad macro-economic effects of the programmes themselves. If financial rescue packages had not been provided in Europe and North America, for example, it is not clear whether competing financial service suppliers in other countries would have been presented with profitable new investment opportunities in those markets that were suddenly left under-supplied, or whether they would have been submerged in a meltdown of the global financial system. However, a number of ideas are being floated to improve transparency and notifications and to pursue a more systematic analysis of these measures. The Secretariat will continue to support the work of Members in the TPRB and the Committee on Trade in Financial Services in this respect.
The fact that the world economy avoided a serious outbreak of trade protectionism in the past twelve months can be attributed in large part to the maturity of the political response to the crisis by developed and developing countries. The danger of protectionism was recognized by G20 Leaders at their Summit in Washington in November 2008, and their subsequent political commitments to eschew new trade restrictions through the end of 2010 have been repeated in APEC and by other WTO Members.
It is important that governments respect the political spirit as well as the letter of those commitments. Pressures on them to restrict imports in sensitive industries will not relent until economic recovery is well established and is once again generating job growth. In their Report on trade and investment policies to the G20 in September 2009, the WTO, UNCTAD and OECD Secretariats recognized that the line against restrictive measures had held relatively well but noted that there had been slippage, particularly on trade policies.
Since then, there has continued to be a build-up of new trade remedy investigations, including by many G20 economies. Virtually none of these investigations have been initiated by governments. They have been initiated in response to petitions filed by the private sector. This trend is unhelpful but not unexpected, since historically the use of trade-remedy law by private-sector actors has tended to increase in times of economic distress. Nonetheless, if the trend were to continue and intensify it would give cause for concern that trade restrictions could still weaken the economic recovery.
There are two dangers that must be avoided in coming months. One is an incremental build-up of trade restrictions. Even if each restriction taken on its own may appear to have had only a slight effect on trade, as they accumulate they will undercut the effectiveness of policies to boost aggregate demand and restore sustained growth globally.
The second danger is that the longer trade restricting and distorting measures are left in place, the more deeply entrenched the special economic interests depending on them will become and the more difficult it will be to remove the measures. This was pointed out in an earlier report to the TPRB this year, with reference to the experience of the use of trade restrictions and subsidies in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Then, measures that had been taken temporarily to try to protect jobs and business profits from the effects of the economic recession created a legacy of uncompetitive industries and sectoral over-capacity. This continued to generate protectionist pressures even after economic activity had begun to pick up again, and the measures were not unwound until the conclusion of the Uruguay Round.
An important step that WTO Members can take now is to devise and announce exit strategies to remove trade restrictions and production subsidies that they have introduced temporarily to counteract the effects of the crisis, and start implementing those strategies as soon as domestic economic recovery takes hold.
It has been widely noted by Members in the TPRB this year that the multilateral trading system has coped effectively with the strains placed on it by the economic crisis. The WTO provided a strong platform on which governments could build their political response to resist domestic protectionist pressures, and its rules have continued to act as an insurance policy for all WTO Members against trade restriction and discrimination and for business to help reduce commercial risk. However, events of the past twelve months have shown areas where the insurance policy looks decidedly out-of-date and needs to be deepened and strengthened.
One area is government procurement. A second is trade-related subsidies. Other than explicit export subsidies (and even then excepting those used to boost exports of agricultural products), WTO rules treat only the symptoms of the trade-distorting effects of subsidies, but not their cause.
A third area where WTO trade disciplines need strengthening, and one that is within immediate reach through the Doha Round, is to close the gap between the levels at which Members have bound their trade policies in the WTO and the levels at which they apply those policies in practice. In many Members, this has grown wide after years in which they have substantially liberalized their trade policies on an autonomous basis. One study, produced shortly after the crisis began, pointed out the extent to which Members could raise their tariffs without breaching their WTO bindings and concluded that, if all of them were in fact to do so, the average global rate of duty would double and the value of global trade would be cut by 8 per cent.[4] Closing the gap between bound and applied rates of tariffs and agricultural subsidies will make a major contribution to reinforcing the policy disciplines of the WTO.
The benefit of an early conclusion to the Doha Round in current circumstances lies in its ability to deliver an economic stimulus package globally that will generate good quality jobs and that does not have to be financed out of over-stretched public treasuries. It will lower prices for consumers at a time when their after-tax real incomes are under strain. It will also create a global platform on which overdue structural adjustment can be managed. The world economy has entered a period of reduced aggregate demand that is exposing over-capacity in several global industries, and it is facing fiscal consolidation. Future growth will depend primarily on productivity improvements. The goods and services sectors of open economies are prime breeding grounds for those improvements, and in a post-Doha trade environment they will prosper.
Members have continued advancing with their programmes of bilateral and regional trade arrangements in 2009. Twenty-five new regional trade agreements (RTAs) were notified to the WTO in the past twelve months, most of them (18) covering trade in both goods and services. This brings the total number of notified RTAs in force to 186. The WTO Secretariat is aware of about 100 other RTAs that are in force but that have not yet been notified to the WTO. Of these, South and Central American countries are involved in around 60, African countries in 30, the Caribbean countries in 18, countries in the Middle East in 17, Asian countries in nine and North American countries in nine. The Secretariat is aware also of around 100 other RTAs that are in the process of being negotiated.
Clearly, RTAs have become an important part of the global trade architecture. The Transparency Mechanism for RTAs that Members agreed to implement on a provisional basis in 2007 is helping to shed light on their main features but the notification record remains unsatisfactory. Essential characteristics of RTAs that complement the multilateral trading system and help to minimize discrimination are low external tariffs, simplified rules of origin and broad coverage of all sectors of trade. Other factors that help make RTAs a success are differences in specialization among partner countries, a critical mass large enough to generate economies of scale, and trade facilitation at external borders to match the internal facilitation of trade. More can be made of the Transparency Mechanism to enable the WTO to engage constructively with RTAs and to explore how the multilateral trading system can assimilate the trade gains they are achieving. It is not clear, for example, how extensively RTAs are in fact used. Firm-level surveys in a number of east-Asian economies have suggested that the use of current RTA preferences by economic agents is relatively low (22 per cent); the share rises to 44 per cent if those that intend to use preferences in the future are included. Developing a deeper understanding in the Committee on Regional Trade Agreements of the array of RTAs in existence, based on analysis of common features of different agreements, would allow Members to reflect on how RTAs might be encouraged to converge more deliberately on the multilateral system from an economic and commercial point of view.
This year is the twentieth anniversary of the operation of the TPRM. Part of the material used to prepare this Report has been drawn from the 21 Trade Policy Reviews held in 2009. Since its first review meeting, held in December 1989, the TPRB has conducted 305 trade policy reviews covering 136 WTO Members, representing 97 per cent of world trade. In that period it has evolved considerably to maintain its effectiveness and to take account of expanding WTO membership, the wider scope and increasing depth of the multilateral agenda, and the growing complexity of trade-related measures. The TPRM must continue evolving to meet its objectives of achieving greater transparency in, and understanding of, the trade policies and practices of Members. Changes have been introduced in 2009 to strengthen the analytical quality of the Secretariat reports, to place Aid for Trade needs within the context of a country's trade policy framework, and to deploy more effectively the Secretariat's resources which remain, nonetheless, overstretched in this area. A further improvement that is overdue is to overhaul the process of peer review in the TPRB.
This Report to the TPRB, and those that have preceded it, aim to contribute to improving the multilateral transparency of trade policies. Other important steps in this direction have been taken this year by all WTO Committees and Councils to improve the implementation of WTO notification requirements and stimulate a more up-to-date and comprehensive flow of information among Members about recent trade-related developments. The decision by Members to enhance their compliance with notifications to the Integrated Database is already a particularly welcome step forward.
More needs to be done in this area in 2010 to strengthen the WTO's monitoring and surveillance capacities. The tendency until now has been to rely on the institutional machinery to monitor trade policy developments through the rear-view mirror only. The experience of the past twelve months has demonstrated the value of improving transparency and collectively monitoring vulnerabilities and potential fracture points that could affect trade and the trading system tomorrow. To be relevant and useful, monitoring of this sort needs to be carried out at regular intervals and to be based on accurate information from Members that is as comprehensive as possible. It requires that a coherent approach is adopted by Members and the Secretariat to produce a WTO-wide trade information system, based on common formats and modern electronic means for the handling, storage and dissemination of data, cooperation with other intergovernmental organizations to avoid duplication, and technical assistance to enhance both the contribution of, and the benefits for, developing countries and LDCs.
ECONOMIC AND TRADE TRENDS
1 OVERVIEW OF THE GLOBAL CRISES
The origins of the global financial and economic crises can be traced to 2007 when major financial institutions began to incur heavy losses as a result of their exposure to the market for sub-prime mortgages. Uncertainty about the extent of these losses reduced the appetite for risk on the part of lenders and severely constrained credit flows to businesses and consumers, as well as between banks. The situation worsened significantly following the failure of Lehman Brothers investment bank in September 2008. The plunge in equity values, combined with further declines in housing markets, constituted a significant shock to household wealth in developed countries, leading consumers to reduce their consumption and boost precautionary savings. Firms cut back on investment spending in response to the heightened level of economic uncertainty. The resulting fall in aggregate demand caused world trade and output to contract sharply in the last quarter of 2008 and the first quarter of 2009. Reduced availability and higher costs of trade finance exacerbated the decline of export demand for some developing countries. The economic slowdown rapidly became a global phenomenon.
After having registered a sharp contraction at the beginning of 2009, world trade and output stabilized in the second quarter of 2009, supported by extraordinary monetary and fiscal policy interventions by a large number of governments. The contraction of output in the United States was smaller than many had expected, and France and Germany posted a return to positive GDP growth although output continued to contract for the European Union as a whole. Trade flows also bottomed out in the second quarter, with some regions, particularly Asia, showing signs of trade growth rebounding quickly.
In the third quarter, the economic situation continued to improve, with output growth resuming in the United States and accelerating in most other countries. Trade growth has recovered strongly in some countries, notably China. However, despite the more favourable business environment, the resumption of global trade growth has been hesitant, including a number of false starts where positive results in one month have been followed by setbacks in the next.
2 Outlook
The balance of forces affecting the global economy appears to be more positive than negative at the moment, but there remain serious risks to the steadiness and strength of economic recovery. Among them is the high and rising unemployment levels in most countries, which will act as a drag on global growth for some time to come and could see protectionist pressures in specific industries and sectors intensifying even as the recovery in trade and output growth takes hold.
In the Director-General's report to the TPRB in July[5], the WTO Secretariat projected a 10 per cent decline in the volume of world exports for 2009, with developed and developing countries' exports falling by about 14 per cent and 7 per cent, respectively. The Secretariat believes now that this may slightly underestimate the decline in trade.
In its most recent World Economic Outlook of October 2009, the International Monetary Fund has forecast a decline of 1.1 per cent in world GDP at purchasing power parity (PPP) for 2009 and an expansion of 3.1 per cent for 2010.[6] Output of advanced economies is expected to contract by 3.4 per cent in 2009 and increase by just 1.3 per cent in 2010. Faster growth is projected for emerging economies and developing countries, of 1.7 per cent in 2009 and 4 per cent in 2010. The IMF is forecasting a decline in the volume of world trade (goods and services) of 11.9 per cent in 2009, and growth of 2.5 per cent in 2010. Exports of advanced economies are expected to fall by around 13.6 per cent in 2009 before returning to growth of 2 per cent in 2010. Emerging economies should fare better, with a smaller projected decline of 7.2 per cent in 2009 and the resumption of growth of 3.6 per cent in 2010.
3 Recent trade developments
According to estimates by the Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis (CPB)[7], the volume of world merchandise trade (average of exports and imports) grew by 3.7 per cent in July, the largest increase recorded since December 2003, but then fell by 2 per cent in August (Chart 1). Trade in August was down 18 per cent from its peak in April of last year and 15 per cent year-on-year.
CPB data show falls in August in exports from developed countries and emerging economies of 1.6 per cent and 2.1 per cent respectively, following growth of 3.6 per cent and 3.2 per cent in July. The same patterns, of about the same magnitudes, are evident for imports. The decline in August is consistent with trade data in current dollar terms from other sources.
At this stage in the recovery, trade growth is volatile. Three-month averages give a better indication of trend movements. The average monthly volume of trade for the three months ending in August was 1.8 per cent higher than the average for the preceding three months. A similar measure for July showed an increase of 0.2 per cent, which makes two consecutive periods of positive trade growth. Before June, changes in three-month averages were negative back to June of 2008.
Japan produced a notably better performance than other developed countries in August, with growth of 1.3 per cent in exports and 0.8 per cent in imports. On a three-month average basis, Japanese exports for the three months ending in August were 14.4 per cent above their level in July and imports were up 5.5 per cent. Developing countries in Asia, including China, saw their three-month average imports through August rise 6.6 per cent over July, more than any other country or region. These data may indicate the re-emergence in Asia of trade growth based on global supply chains that existed before the economic crisis. For the time being, the weak link in that chain is import demand from other developed economies, which remained flat in August with growth of just 0.5 per cent based on three-month averages. Increased import demand in China may be helping to compensate for that as a result of its large fiscal stimulus earlier this year.
1 Merchandise trade values
Chart 2 shows merchandise trade values in current US dollar terms for selected economies through August and September, depending on data availability. These data should be used with caution as they are not seasonally adjusted and may be strongly influenced by changes in commodity prices and exchange rates. Nonetheless, they offer an early indicator of trends in world trade.
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Chart 2 (cont'd)
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The slump in trade for August is clearly visible in the charts, with double-digit month-on-month declines in exports of EU-27 (intra-EU trade is excluded) of 21 per cent to US$112 billion between July and August. There were also large drops in other countries, e.g. the Republic of Korea with a decline in exports of 9 per cent to US$29 billion. An exception to this rule was the United States, where exports grew by nearly 2 per cent in August to US$87 billion. Imports also suffered a setback in August in many countries, notably China where they dropped more than 7 per cent to US$104 billion.
However, those countries with data for September show significant rebounds from the August slump. For example, China's exports and imports respectively rose 12 per cent to US$116 billion and 17 per cent to US$103 billion in September, while Japan's exports and imports grew by 18 per cent to US$56 billion and 10 per cent to US$50 billion. Caution should be used when interpreting the significance of these month-on-month changes, but in most cases the September rebounds were greater than the August setbacks. This suggests that global trade flows are recovering.
Year-on-year changes are still universally negative. Exports and imports of the United States through August were down 25 per cent and 31 per cent respectively, and EU-27 exports and imports were down 25 per cent and 32 per cent, respectively. The year-on-year decline in China's exports was reduced from 23 per cent in August to 15 per cent in September, while the fall in imports was reduced from 17 per cent to just 4 per cent. Japan's year-on-year export growth also improved.
The value of world trade in fuels and mining products fell by more than any other product group during the year ending in the second quarter of 2009, which is not surprising considering the record high oil prices in 2008. Shipments of manufactured goods fell more than agricultural products. There are, however, important differences between different categories of manufactured goods; automotive products and iron and steel registered huge declines through the second quarter of 2009 (Table 1).
Table 1
Quarterly growth of world trade in manufactures by product, 2008Q1 - 2009Q2
(year-on-year percentage change in current U.S. dollars)
| |2008Q1 |2008Q2 |2008Q3 |2008Q4 |2009Q1 |2009Q2 |
| Iron and steel |13.8 |25.9 |41.4 |3.7 |-38.0 |-55.5 |
| Office and telecom equipment |9.3 |12.4 |6.6 |-14.7 |-28.4 |-22.0 |
| Clothing and textiles |9.6 |9.5 |6.0 |-7.2 |
|Total world imports | |16,011,892 | | |
|Total affected imports | |161,339 |100.0 |1.01 |
|Agricultural products |01-24 |57,199 |35.5 |0.36 |
|Minerals |25-27 |7,308 |4.5 |0.05 |
|Chemicals & products |28-38 |6,451 |4.0 |0.04 |
|Plastics & rubber |39-40 |6,629 |4.1 |0.04 |
|Hides and skins, leather, etc. |41-43 |205 |0.1 |0.00 |
|Paperboard, fibreboard of wood |44-49 |1,642 |1.0 |0.01 |
|Textile, clothing and footwear |50-67 |11,267 |7.0 |0.07 |
|Ceramic, glassware |68-70 |342 |0.2 |0.00 |
|Precious stones, etc. |71 |19 |0.0 |0.00 |
|Base metals & products |72-83 |47,165 |29.2 |0.29 |
| (Iron and steel) |(72-73) |(45,514) |(28.2) |(0.28) |
| (Other base metals) |(74-83) |(1,651) |(1.0) |(0.01) |
|Machinery and mechanical appliances |84-85 |14,975 |9.3 |0.09 |
|Transport equipment |86-89 |4,893 |3.0 |0.03 |
|Precision materials |90-92 |2,436 |1.5 |0.02 |
|Other manufactured products |93-97 |808 |0.5 |0.01 |
Note: Excluding Korea's fuel imports.
Source: WTO Secretariat estimates, based on UNSD Comtrade database.
There is no indication, in the period under consideration, of a generalized introduction of additional restrictions to trade in services. In some sectors, notably in the telecommunication and ICT industries, there is evidence to suggest that most governments continue to adopt measures to open markets with a view to enhancing competitiveness.
4 Trade measures
1 Tariffs
Although some Members have raised applied MFN tariffs since the crisis began, such increases have been relatively rare when considered across the whole WTO membership, even where significant gaps between bound and applied rates have provided scope for increases. In the United States, European Communities (EC), Japan, China, India, Brazil and South Africa the overall trend in applied MFN rates continues to be downwards and this trend has not been reversed by the crisis (Tables 3 and 4).
In the United States, EC and Japan, where applied MFN tariffs are generally at or close to bound rates, the simple averages of applied MFN rates for all products in 2008 were down to 4.8 per cent in the United States, 6.1 per cent in Japan, and 6.7 per cent in the EC, making an overall average of 5.9 per cent, compared with 8.5 per cent in 1996. Nonetheless, these averages tend to underestimate the level of tariff protection. In particular, they do not include specific duties for which ad valorem equivalents are not available, as in the EC and Japan, and which tend to conceal tariff "peaks". Moreover, they disguise the fact that agricultural products and textiles and clothing are subject to much higher average applied MFN tariff rates of 14.6 per cent and 8.0 per cent, respectively, in developed country Members.
Table 3
Structure of MFN tariffs in the United States, the European Communities, and Japan
(Per cent)
| | |United Statesa |European Community |Japan |
| | |MFN applied |F.B.b |MFN applied |F.B.d |
| | |MFN applied |F.B.a |MFN applied |
| |
|3 |Duty free tariff lines (per cent of all |2.0 |
| |tariff lines) | |
|Country |Initiations |Country |Initiations |Country |Initiations |
|India |63 |United States |15 |India |16 |
|Argentina |29 |EC |5 |Turkey |6 |
|Pakistan |27 |China |3 |Ukraine |3 |
|China |26 |Peru |3 |Dominican Rep. |2 |
|United States |21 |Australia |2 |Philippines |2 |
|EC |19 |Canada |1 |Morocco |2 |
|Indonesia |12 |India |1 |Kyrgyz Republic |2 |
|Turkey |11 | | |Jordan |2 |
|Brazil |8 | | | | |
|Australia |7 | | | | |
a: Including China – specific safeguards provided for in Section 16 of the Protocol of Accession of China to the WTO.
Source: WTO Secretariat.
Chart 10 shows the econometric model presented in the monitoring report of 15 July 2009 and illustrates its relation with the actual number of anti-dumping initiations so far in 2009 (until 28 October). The model had predicted around 400 initiations for 2009. 171 anti-dumping investigations were initiated as of 28 October 2009.
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The number of initiations of countervailing duty (CVD) investigations has also increased significantly over the last four quarters (Chart 11). Historically, countervailing measures have been used much less frequently than anti-dumping measures, and consequently their impact on international trade has been less significant. The sharp increase that has taken place more recently merits attention. Most of the recent CVD cases have been initiated simultaneously with anti-dumping investigations against the same products originating in the same countries.
Twenty-eight CVD investigations have been initiated so far in 2009, including five in October. The third quarter of 2009 has registered a 115 per cent increase in CVD initiations compared with the same period in 2008. If the current trends continue for the remainder of 2009, there could be a new record of CVD initiations surpassing the 41 initiations recorded in 1999.
CVD investigations continue to cover a wide range of products. However, as in past periods, the majority of investigations during the period under review covered metals, with 12 initiations, followed by plastics and chemicals, with four and three initiations, respectively. Unlike anti-dumping investigations, CVD investigations are being conducted mainly by developed countries (a total of 23 between October 2008 and October 2009) compared with developing countries (7). There are no important changes in the historical trends in this regard.
Safeguard initiations have also increased significantly in 2009 (Chart 12). Initiations started to increase significantly in the fourth quarter of 2008. Up to 28 October 2009, the second-highest number of safeguard initiations since 1995 was recorded, that is 26 initiations compared to the record high of 34 for the year 2002. The number of initiations in 2008 was 11. The sectoral break-down of the 27 safeguard initiations in 2009 is: chemicals (7), cement/glass/ceramics (6), animal products (3), metals (3), paper (3), textiles (2), vegetable products (1), foodstuffs (1), and wood (1). Chemicals have traditionally been the most affected by safeguard initiations. While the number of China-specific safeguard initiations have traditionally been far less than safeguards initiated in accordance with the Safeguards Agreement (which is origin-neutral), there have been six China-specific safeguard initiations in 2009 (up to 28 October).
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2 Sanitary and phytosanitary measures
The SPS Agreement provides several mechanisms to monitor the imposition of trade restrictions. All WTO Members are obliged to provide an advance notification of proposed new SPS requirements, except for measures taken in response to emergency situations for which notification is to be provided immediately upon taking the measure. Other Members have the opportunity to comment on these notified measures, both directly to the notifying Member and/or by raising the issue at a regular meeting of the SPS Committee. The WTO Secretariat has no information regarding how many comments are submitted in response to notifications, nor the responses given to these comments. It is not possible to monitor SPS measures that are imposed by Members but not notified. From 1 October 2008 through 1 October 2009, 633 regular notifications and 95 emergency notifications were submitted by Members. This compares with 782 regular notifications and 107 emergency notifications for the same period in 2007-08.
Any Member can raise a specific trade concern at any of the three regular meetings of the SPS Committee each year. In the three Committee meetings of October 2008 and March and June 2009, 11 new trade concerns were raised. Members have indicated their intention to raise five new issues at the October 2009 meeting; a similar number of new trade concerns were raised between October 2007 and October 2008 (18).
One issue that was raised for the first time in June 2008 and which continues to be of concern is the number of trade restrictions imposed on live pigs, pork and pork products in response to the outbreak of the influenza A(H1N1) virus. Despite repeated assurances from the relevant international standard-setting organizations, the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the World Health Organization (WHO), that this virus cannot be transmitted to humans via the consumption of properly prepared pork meat or products, a number of WTO Members have imposed (and a few of them still maintain) restrictions on imports of these products, and sometimes on additional products, from WTO Members who report high incidences of the virus in humans, or any occurrence in pigs.[22] It is of serious concern that only five WTO Members have notified a total of nine import restrictions to the WTO, while other sources of information reported that almost 60 countries have imposed some measures since the outbreak of the disease. This indicates lack of transparency of most of the measures, and has prevented Members from consulting with each other in the SPS Committee on the scientific justification for the restrictions.
One concern that has been raised with increasing frequency in the SPS Committee is the failure of various WTO Members to base their import requirements on the relevant internationally developed standards, in particular with regard to certain animal diseases such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE or "mad cow" disease), foot-and-mouth disease, and avian influenza. According to the SPS Agreement, a WTO Member may impose requirements that exceed those of the relevant international standards only where they have undertaken an appropriate risk assessment and have scientific evidence to demonstrate that the international standard would not provide sufficient health protection. In what appears to be a growing number of situations, however, Members do not accept imports on the basis of the international standards but have not provided the required scientific justification.
3 Technical barriers to trade (TBT)
Two aspects of the TBT Committee's work are relevant to the surveillance and monitoring of regulatory measures that have an effect on international trade: (i) Members' notifications of draft regulations, and (ii) the discussion of potential or actual trade effects of these measures in the Committee (referred to as "specific trade concerns"). During the period October 2008 to October 2009 both the number of notifications made to the Secretariat and the number of specific trade concerns raised for discussion increased substantially compared with the same period the previous year (1,450 notifications during the review period, against 1,274 over the period October 2007 to October 2008; and 127 specific trade concerns raised during the period under review compared with 90 during the preceding period).
Members are obliged to make a notification to the WTO if a proposed measure may have a significant effect on trade of other Members. The higher numbers of notifications thus signal either an increase in regulatory activity or an improved implementation of the Agreement. The data show a significant increase in the proportion of notified draft technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures from developing country Members: nearly 80 per cent of the notifications submitted in the period under review came from developing countries (the corresponding figure for previous periods was below 70 per cent). This rise is mainly driven by countries in East Asia and Africa. The increase in Asia comes from growth in Chinese TBT notifications and is part of a longer term trend in the increase in the number of technical regulations which has lasted for about five years. The increase in TBT notifications from Africa is new, and is mainly underpinned by notifications submitted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
Members use the TBT Committee as a forum to discuss issues related to specific measures (technical regulations, standards or conformity assessment procedures) maintained by other Members. These specific trade concerns relate normally to proposed draft measures notified to the TBT Committee or to the implementation of existing measures. Members have underlined the value of the Committee's discussions on specific trade concerns, which provide an opportunity for a multilateral review that enhances the transparency and predictability of standards, technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures. The significant increase in specific trade concerns raised in the TBT Committee over the last few years, including during the period being reviewed, is to a certain extent an indication of the increased participation of Members in the work of the TBT Committee; it may also indicate an enhanced awareness of the importance of the implementation of the requirements of the TBT Agreement. The most frequently invoked reason for raising a concern in the TBT Committee is the need for more information or clarification about the measure at issue. Hence, the review of specific trade concerns in the Committee is an important mechanism that contributes to the WTO's monitoring of regulatory measures.
4 Measures affecting trade in services
The global financial and economic crisis has not triggered significant new market access barriers to trade in services. Most Members appear to have maintained the general thrust of their services trade policies, while a few Members have even engaged in further liberalization of individual service sectors or groups of sectors. State intervention in the form of financial bailouts, subsidy programmes or broader development plans for specific service sectors have become more common, but their potential effect on trade in services is still unclear.
As noted in previous monitoring reports this year, most of the changes to policies governing inward and/or outward foreign investment (which may affect the supply of services through commercial presence) have been aimed at increasing openness and clarity for investors. The protection of local labour markets has given rise to increases in barriers to international migration, but not predominantly with respect to temporary movements, of which mode 4 of the GATS is a subset. Nevertheless, a trend seems to be appearing towards tightening the enforcement of current access schemes that include mode 4-related movements. For instance, available application channels have been reduced, criteria for applicants tightened, required documentation increased, and onsite compliance checks intensified. It is difficult to say if, and to what extent, such measures have been genuinely intended to rein in instances of fraud or misuse, or if they are attempts to raise the hurdles to obtain access under such schemes.
The telecommunications sector has continued to weather the crisis better than many other services industries, with demand for services remaining strong. According to a recent ITU update, the mobile and satellite sectors have proved most resilient and high-speed fixed and mobile broadband subscriptions have seen sustained growth worldwide.[23] Nevertheless, the financial side of the crisis has affected operators' ability to access capital and finance network investments. In some cases, this has slowed plans to roll out Next-Generation Networks. The overall health of the telecommunication sector during the downturn has gone hand in hand with a relative resilience of the IT sector in general, particularly IT-enabled services.[24]
Both the ITU and OECD reports note somewhat of a hiatus in the decades-long rise in private-sector participation in the telecom sector. This has revived debate about the role of government in supporting infrastructure investment, particularly the roll-out of broadband.[25] A World Bank study illustrates that many national stimulus-related legislative packages contain broadband incentives.[26] It has become widely accepted that the ICT sector has a major role to play in generating global growth and financial recovery. However, many reports and studies also caution governments to exercise prudence in how and where they direct spending, since efforts to pick "champions" can backfire in a sector that continues to witness rapid change.
During the global crisis, thus far, most governments have taken actions to support and strengthen competitive markets in telecommunications. Examples include maintenance of regulatory efforts in areas such as interconnection guarantees, number portability and dominant operators safeguards. An area where pro-competitive reforms have also begun in earnest concerns spectrum management procedures and practices. As regards market access, in all but a tiny minority of cases, governments have continued apace in the issuance of licences to new entrants, most often in, but not entirely limited to, the mobile sector.
In the transport sector as well, protectionist measures have remained a limited phenomenon. In maritime transport, for example, most governments have resisted protectionist calls from their local shipping industries. Several support plans for the sector have, however, been implemented in some countries (e.g. Korea, China, Germany). In the area of air transport, bilateral agreements concluded over the past year have not been found to be more restrictive than previous arrangements. Moreover, several open skies agreements have been signed (notably by the United Arab Emirates), and a few Members have relaxed their national ownership restrictions (e.g. Canada). Rescue plans involving state subsidies have been implemented by some Members (e.g. China and Japan), while in other cases support by way of partial empty-seat reimbursement for both national and foreign companies has been granted so as to prop up not only air transport, but also the tourism sector (e.g. Egypt).
5 Trade policy reviews
This year marks the twentieth anniversary of the operation of the TPRM. Between the first review meeting in December 1989 and end 2009, the Trade Policy Review Body (TPRB) will have conducted 305 trade policy reviews, and covered 136 of 153 Members, representing some 97 per cent of the share of world trade. Since its establishment, the TPRM has undergone repeated changes to meet its twin objectives of enhancing transparency in, and understanding of, the trade policies and practices of Members. Through this process of continuous improvement, the TPRM has been able to maintain the effectiveness of its surveillance function in the face of an expanding WTO membership, the wider scope and increasing depth of the multilateral agenda, and the growing complexity of trade-related measures.
The latest appraisal of the operation of the TPRM by the TPRB concluded that the Mechanism was functioning effectively but that changes were required to enhance its value. Thus, starting in January 2009, modifications have been gradually introduced to the operation of the Mechanism, including to make better use of the advance question-answer process, improve the Secretariat reports, and deploy more effectively the Secretariat resources.
The Trade Policy Review Body (TPRB) conducted 21 country reviews in 2009.[27]
The four TPR reviews of Members in the Western Hemisphere (Guatemala, Brazil, Guyana, and Chile) showed that economic growth had come hand-in-hand with macroeconomic stability, trade opening and growing integration in the global economy. However, as the year progressed, the negative impact on trade and growth of the global financial and economic crises became increasingly apparent and of concern. Members noted that a sustained commitment to open markets was essential to overcome the crisis, and that further progress was needed to reduce poverty and inequality.
Members under review were commended for their liberalization efforts and support of the multilateral trading system, and were invited to bind those efforts in the WTO to enhance the predictability of their trade regimes and contribute to the successful completion of the DDA. The reviews also shed light on notifications to the WTO and areas where improvements were required. In most cases trade liberalization had been pursued through multiple avenues, with preferential agreements playing a particularly important role in several cases.
Members commended reforms undertaken to facilitate trade and modernize customs, and noted favourably instances when trade remedy measures had been little used or not used at all. On the other hand, they expressed concerns about the use of certain licensing requirements and prohibitions on imports. They also showed particular interest in internal taxation systems, credit support schemes and export subsidies. Likewise, Members paid close attention to transparency and the ability of agencies to carry out their functions effectively in areas such as competition policy, government procurement, non-tariff measures, and the protection of intellectual property rights. Discussions of service sector reforms were a common feature of the reviews, especially in the telecommunications, financial and transport sectors. Those and broader reform efforts were seen as key ingredients of a successful development strategy.
In the Asia-Pacific region, Japan, Fiji, New Zealand, Solomon Islands, and the Maldives were reviewed in 2009. Judging from those completed to date, few Members in the Asia-Pacific region have adopted trade restrictive measures in response to the crisis, although some have introduced subsidies for certain worst-affected sectors. During the year subsidies have been provided to inter alia, banks (Japan), airlines (China and Japan), automobiles (Japan and Malaysia), electronics (Chinese Taipei and Japan) and computer chip manufacturers (Japan). China has also provided consumption subsidies to rural households to purchase electrical products and cars.
Most Members in the region have continued to liberalize their trade and FDI regimes unilaterally and in the context of bilateral and regional trade agreements. In some countries (notably Malaysia), the crisis provided a catalyst for liberalization, which is increasingly aimed at removing barriers to the development of the services sector. Given the long-standing support for open trade by the preponderance of countries in the region, it is no coincidence that Asia-Pacific appears to be emerging from the crisis more quickly than other regions.
The fiscal and financial measures taken to mitigate the effects of the global crisis, for example in China, are helping not only to boost aggregate demand and stimulate economic recovery but also to reduce global macroeconomic imbalances. In the past at least, these imbalances have been a source of trade tensions and contributed to protectionist sentiment when they have generated the perception that they are the consequence of "unfair" competition practices. More generally the crisis, notably the sharp drop in global demand, seems to have prompted Members whose growth was previously driven to a great extent by exports, especially of manufactured goods, to re-evaluate their economic development strategies.
Although some Members have raised a few applied MFN tariffs since the global crisis broke, such instances have been rare. TPRs undertaken this year have confirmed that the overall trend in the region is downwards. Some smaller Members have reduced, or envisage taking steps to reduce, their reliance on tariffs as a source of tax revenue by replacing them with internal taxes that facilitate rather than impede trade, without loss of tax revenues.
Export restraints are an important feature of the trade regimes in some Members in this region, notably China. The latter does not provide full rebates of VAT on exports (thereby implicitly taxing exports), imposes explicit export taxes on certain products, and bans exports of others. However, overall use of these restraints in the region does not appear to have increased during the past year; in China, for example, some additional restraints have been introduced, but others have been reduced or eliminated.
In its review of the EC(27), the TPRB welcomed the steps taken to increase the level of transparency of the EC's decision-making process and of its unilateral agricultural reforms since 2003. The EC was urged to further liberalize agriculture through the simplification of its tariff structure and reduction of high rates of domestic support and export subsidies. Concerns were expressed about the recent reintroduction of export refunds on dairy products by the EC, and about the complexity of its regulatory regime, including TBT (notably the REACH system for chemicals) and SPS. The EC's overall tariff structure has remained stable since 2006.
The African countries reviewed in 2009 (Mozambique, Morocco, Zambia, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Niger, and Senegal) have continued liberalizing their economies, including their trade regimes. In recent years, liberalization has taken place mainly through regional initiatives. The reviews have shed light on the steps taken by the countries towards the consolidation of their overlapping regional groupings; this has been made possible through the harmonization of sub-regional trade regimes (WAEMU and ECOWAS; EAC, SACU, SADC, and COMESA; and CAEMC and ECCAS).
In general, the African countries' WTO commitments on both goods and services have fallen short of their trade liberalization efforts. Through structural/stabilization programmes, the countries have substantially liberalized their economies, including their trade regimes. Nonetheless, their multilateral tariff binding commitments are on ceiling rates, and their recent unilateral/regional liberalization reforms further increase the margins between bound and applied rates. On services too, the commitments are limited to few categories and modes of supply; they do not reflect the efforts made in Africa to substantially open key categories of services, including banking, transport, mobile telephony, tourism, and professional services.
The reviews helped to identify areas where African countries' applied regimes need to be further brought into line with their multilateral commitments, including on tariffs and on notifications. They also highlighted the difficulties most African countries are encountering to fully implement the WTO Agreement on Customs Valuation.
Because of supply-side constraints, many African countries have made limited use of the non-reciprocal preferences available to them. This highlights the importance, emphasized in several of the TPRs, of donors continuing to provide Aid for Trade notwithstanding their current difficult fiscal circumstances owing to the global crisis.
Zambia's TPR provided Members with the opportunity to see a good example of one of the many African countries that, aided by donors, have undertaken major economic reforms aimed inter alia at opening up their economies. Such reforms seem to have been largely unnoticed outside Africa. If Zambia and other LDCs in Africa and elsewhere are to continue with these reforms, they will need considerable additional technical assistance and other forms of aid for trade.
6 Regional trade agreements
Regional trade agreements (RTAs) continue to be an important and growing feature of the international trading system. During October 2008 to October 2009, 25 RTAs including goods and services were notified to the WTO Secretariat (40 RTAs counting goods and services separately). In total, 364 agreements have been notified to the WTO and the GATT, of which 186 are currently in force.[28] While the majority of these agreements are in goods only, increasingly RTAs tend to cover both goods and services. Of the 25 agreements notified during the review period, the majority (18) included goods and services (22 notifications in goods, of which 21 under GATT Article XXIV and one under the Enabling Clause, and 18 in services). The majority of these agreements (23 out of 25) are bilateral, confirming an overall trend towards more bilateral RTAs rather than plurilateral agreements or customs unions. In addition to notifications of agreements in force, the WTO Secretariat received "early announcements" of 14 agreements that are currently being negotiated or that have been signed but are not yet in force. The Secretariat estimates that about 100 further agreements are in the process of being negotiated.
In terms of regional trends, there has been a change in recent years with Asia, in particular east Asia, becoming very active in RTA negotiations. Of the 25 agreements notified during the period under review, eight agreements involve countries in east Asia, followed closely by South America with seven agreements and four agreements each involving countries from Central America and from North America. In addition, the European Communities continued to deepen its trading relations with its east European partners, notifying agreements in services with Albania, Croatia, and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The EC's first Economic Partnership Agreements, with the Cariforum, Côte d'Ivoire, and Cameroon, were also notified during this period.
In addition to a deepening trade relationship with the inclusion of more services and investment provisions in recent agreements, RTAs are also increasingly being negotiated and signed between Members in different regions of the world. Of the 40 RTAs notified to the WTO between October 2008 and October 2009, 26 agreements (counting goods and services separately) involve Members in different regions. Thus the concept of "regional" has also changed from intra-regional to inter-regional agreements. At the same time, however, initiatives to establish large regional economic groupings, such as the Free-Trade Area of the Americas, the eastern enlargement of the EU, and ASEAN+3 (China, Japan, and Korea), are also being pursued.
Since October 2008, Members and the Secretariat have continued to implement the Transparency Mechanism for RTAs established on a provisional basis by the General Council on 14 December 2006.[29] The Mechanism was established as a response to the lack of transparency on RTAs and it represents an important step forward in better understanding the liberalization being pursued on a preferential basis by Members. Between October 2008 and October 2009, 34 agreements were reviewed on the basis of factual presentations prepared by the Secretariat. Of these, 31 agreements were considered by the WTO Committee on Regional Trade Agreements (CRTA) and 3 by the Committee on Trade and Development (CTD).
The WTO Database on RTAs, which was created under the Transparency Mechanism, went online and became publicly accessible in January 2009. It provides information on all RTAs notified to the WTO and the GATT, including texts of agreements and details of WTO meetings held to review them. In the case of agreements for which factual presentations have been prepared, the database also contains the trade and tariff information provided by the parties to the agreement.[30]
Although the agreements that have been reviewed to date in the CRTA and the CTD represent a relatively small share of total agreements notified to the WTO, they have revealed interesting information on the content and coverage of the agreements as well as the extent to which they go beyond concessions offered multilaterally.
Around three quarters of the agreements reviewed between October 2008 and October 2009 were implemented within 10 years of their entry into force (Chart 13). They therefore appear to fall within the norm of the 10 year "reasonable length of time" provided for by the Understanding on Article XXIV to implement an RTA. However, there is considerable variation in the "exceptional cases" whose liberalization, according to the Understanding, can exceed 10 years.
[pic]
[pic]
In the case of liberalization of goods, the coverage provided by RTAs tends to be relatively high, in general between 80 per cent and 100 per cent of total tariff lines or imports from the RTA partner (Chart 14). However, the coverage of non-agricultural products, when measured as a share of tariff lines, is substantially higher for most agreements than coverage of agricultural products, confirming that liberalizing agriculture trade is no easier for Members at the regional level than it is at the multilateral level. In services, although harder to quantify in the same way as for goods, it also appears that RTAs offer greater, and in some cases deeper, commitments among preferential trading partners than multilaterally in the GATS. While most agreements, whether based on positive GATS-type lists or negative lists, provide additional market access among preferential partners, commitments on rules and domestic regulations tend for the most part to go no further than at the multilateral level.
For regulatory measures such as trade remedies and SPS and TBT, the record is mixed, with some agreements going beyond commitments made in the WTO. Some Members have used RTAs as an opportunity to introduce WTO-plus measures such as greater protection for intellectual property rights than provided for by the TRIPS Agreement, commitments on government procurement, investment, and in some cases competition policy.
Firm-level surveys conducted in a number of east-Asian economies have suggested that the use of current RTA preferences by economic agents is relatively low (22 per cent); the share rises to 44 per cent if those that intend to use preferences in the future are included.[31]
There is value in examining and analysing more deeply these elements of RTAs, as well as their more traditional features such as external tariff levels, rules of origin, and trade coverage, across the range of agreements that now exist globally with a view to understanding whether their dynamics tend in the direction of convergence on, or divergence from, the multilateral trading system.
As preferential trade commitments in RTAs become more widespread and deeper between the parties, the need for compatibility and convergence with the multilateral trading system becomes steadily more important if the discrimination inherent in those commitments is not to disadvantage increasingly the majority of other WTO Members. Efforts are already being made to enlarge the membership of certain regional agreements such as the EC's successive enlargements and prospects of further eastward enlargement, the ASEAN + 3 initiative, and the Free Trade Area of the Americas. Applying the preferential provisions of these agreements multilaterally would provide substantial benefits to other WTO Members.
FISCAL STIMULUS AND INDUSTRY AND FINANCIAL SECTOR SUPPORT MEASURES
OVER THE PAST TWELVE MONTHS, MANY DEVELOPED COUNTRIES AND SOME EMERGING ECONOMIES HAVE PUT IN PLACE SIGNIFICANT ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGES AND FINANCIAL RESCUE PACKAGES. THE AGGREGATE U.S. SUPPORT PROGRAMMES HAVE BEEN ESTIMATED AT US$12 TRILLION, AND THOSE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION AT US$8 TRILLION.[32]
The major share, by far, of these public sector interventions has been in financial rescue packages. These represented, for example, 28 per cent of GDP in the United Kingdom and around 19 per cent of GDP in both Germany and France, compared with fiscal stimulus packages announced in 2009 of around 1 to 1.5 per cent of GDP in France and the UK, and 2.8 per cent of GDP in Germany.[33] Without calling into question the necessity of those financial rescue packages in the exceptional circumstances that have prevailed over the past twelve months, their sheer size in relation to the share of GDP of the financial services sectors of OECD economies inevitably gives reason to question their effects on international trade in financial services. However, providing more than anecdotal or theoretical answers to that question remains extremely difficult because of lack of specific information about the implementation of the packages.
The size of the fiscal stimulus packages in OECD countries to date has been estimated at around 3.5 per cent of collective GDP,[34] with Australia, Canada, Korea, New Zealand, and the United States each injecting fiscal stimulus of over 4 per cent of their GDP.
Several emerging economies, including Brazil, China, and Russia, have also implemented large economic stimulus packages, of which China's is reputed to be the largest in relative terms, amounting to 13 per cent of its GDP (fiscal and financial stimulus combined).
Proper analysis of the economic stimulus packages is challenging. Each needs to be considered separately, since they vary considerably in their component parts and the trade effects of those parts may range from probably little (in the case of tax cuts, for example) to possibly a lot (in the case of government procurement schemes based on "Buy Local" requirements, for example).
The WTO Secretariat is aware of Members' interest in more and deeper analysis being carried out on this subject. For the time being, it does not have enough reliable information on the details of the financing and implementation of these packages to be able to carry out robust analysis of their likely effects on trade. Also, the Secretariat needs further guidance from Members on an appropriate methodology to follow when undertaking the analysis that will command their full support.
Because of the large burden that these exceptional rescue and stimulus packages are placing on the monetary authorities and public treasuries of many countries, discussion has begun (for example at the G20 level) on exit strategies to unwind levels of public support as financial and macroeconomic conditions improve. These strategies are needed to help allay concerns that whatever trade restrictions or distortions may have been created temporarily over the past twelve months, as a consequence of exceptional crisis-management measures, they will not be kept in place once crisis-management is considered no longer necessary. Those concerns arise in particular in the case of government procurement programmes involving long-term spending, on infrastructure projects for example, and public funds that have been targeted at specific industries or even individual firms that have come under particular threat as a result of the sharp downturn in global demand.
1 Automobile industry
After the banking sector, the automobile industry appears to have received most financial support over the past twelve months from many governments around the world through bailouts (credit and equity infusions) and scrapping schemes (generally including cash subsidies for consumers to trade in older cars for newer, often more environmentally-friendly, ones). The measures were introduced at a time when automobile sales were plunging, by as much as 50 per cent in some markets, to protect jobs and to contribute to government stimulus programmes aimed at propping up aggregate demand more generally.
The scrapping schemes are consumption subsidies that are, in principle, trade-expanding as long as they do not have conditions attached that limit the origin of supply of automobiles from which consumers may select their purchases. None of the schemes, of which the WTO Secretariat is aware, that have actually been implemented had those conditions attached (Table 6).
Of more concern from a trade point of view is the direct financial support that has been provided by a number of governments to some or all of their domestic automobile producers to help maintain production capacity in the face of sharply lower demand. Even before the start of the global economic crisis and the collapse of demand for automobiles in many markets, industry estimates pointed to global excess production capacity.[35] The scrapping schemes appear to have boosted demand in North America and Europe over the past few months, but probably only temporarily. For example, the United States "cash-for-clunkers" programme is reported to have boosted automobile sales in August to the highest levels of the year, but sales fell in September to 23 per cent below their level a year earlier, and automobile registrations in Europe increased by 6.3 per cent in September from a year earlier but are reported to have fallen in October (by 20 per cent in Germany) once the scrapping schemes had expired. According to industry estimates, overcapacity in Europe in 2010 will be around 7 million units (or 30 per cent), while in the United States overcapacity is estimated to fall from 6 million vehicles to 3.5 million.[36] Car makers are of the view that, given this situation, nearly all future growth will come from emerging markets, such as China, Brazil, and India.
Table 6
Car scrapping schemes
|Country |Duration |Incentive |Total amount |
|Austria |April to December 2009 |€1,500 (US$2,218) for vehicles older than 13 |€45 million |
| | |years |(US$ 66 million) |
|China |1 June 2009 to 31 May 2010 |Yuan 3,000 – 6,000(US$439-US$879) (only large|Yuan 4 billion (US$ 586 |
| | |cars can be scrapped) |million) |
|Cyprus |January to February 2009 |From €257 to €1,710 (US$ 380-US$2,529) for |... |
| | |vehicles older than 15 years | |
|France |until December 2010 |€1,000 (US$1,479) in 2009, then |€240 million (US$ 355 |
| | |€700 (US$1,035) since Jan. 2010, then |million) in 2010 |
| | |€500 (US$739) since July 2010 for vehicles | |
| | |older than 10 years | |
|Germany |April to December 2009, but funds used by|€2,500 (US$3,697) for vehicles older than |€5 billion (US$7.4 |
| |September 2009 |nine years |billion) |
|Italy |February to December 2009 |€1,500 (US$2,218) for vehicles older than |... |
| | |nine years | |
|Japan |10 April 2009 to 31 March 2010 |To purchase environmentally-friendly cars. |JPY 370 billion (close to |
| | |Amount of subsidies depends on type of |US$4 billion) |
| | |vehicle, age of the car to be replaced, or | |
| | |simply purchase of new one without | |
| | |replacement (for example: | |
| | |JPY 125,000-250,000 (US$1,384-3,769) if car | |
| | |aged 13 years old or more; | |
| | |JPY 50,000-100,000 (US$554-1,107) without | |
| | |scrapping the car above) | |
|Luxembourg |January to December 2009 |From €1,500 to €2,500 (US$2,218 to US$3,697) |... |
| | |for cars older than ten years | |
|Portugal |January to December 2009 |€1,000 and €1,250 (US$1,479 and US$1,848) for|... |
| | |cars older than ten years and 15 years | |
| | |respectively | |
|Romania |January to December 2009 |€850 (US$1,257) for cars older than ten years|... |
| | |(maximum number of cars scrapped: 60,000) | |
|Slovak Republic |March to December 2009 |From €1,000 to €1,500 (US$1,479 to US$2,218) |€55million (US$81 million)|
| | |for cars older than ten years | |
|Spain |December 2008 to July 2010 |Interest-free loan up to €10,000 (US$14,788) |... |
|United Kingdom |May 2009 to March 2010 |£1,000 (US$1,633) (conditional on the |£300 million (US$490 |
| | |manufacturers adding another £1,000) |million) |
|United States |24 July to 24 August 2009 |US$3,500 to US$4,500 |US$3 billion |
... Not available.
Note Conversions to U.S. dollars based on currency exchange rates at end-October 2009.
2 Government procurement
During the period under review, attention was drawn to both the importance and the limits of current international trade regulations on government procurement policies and trade in this sector. Government procurement accounts for, on average, 15-20 per cent of GDP in OECD countries.[37] This proportion typically increases in times of economic downturn, with the reliance that is placed on public infrastructure spending as an element of stimulus packages. The main instrument regulating government procurement in the framework of the WTO is the plurilateral Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA).[38] The Agreement embodies guarantees of national treatment, non-discrimination and the use of fair and transparent purchasing procedures in respect of the procurements of the forty-one WTO Members that are currently bound by it,[39] subject to important details and limitations incorporated in the schedules to the Agreement.
The importance of the GPA was seen clearly in the framing of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (i.e. the U.S. "stimulus legislation"). The U.S. legislation (Pub. Law 111-5, enacted by Congress and signed into law in February of 2009) introduced two new "Buy American" requirements, one relating to the procurement of iron, steel, and manufactured goods for construction and related projects concerning public buildings and works (section 1605 of the legislation), and the other involving the procurement of specified items of clothing or equipment for the Department of Homeland Security (section 604). In both cases, the stimulus legislation addresses the potential conflict with the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA) and other U.S. international trade commitments by including a further provision stipulating that: "This section shall be applied in a manner consistent with United States obligations under international agreements" (section 604(k) and section 1605(d) of the legislation). Subsequently, a notification by the United States to the WTO Committee on Government Procurement (GPA/98 of 24 April 2009) provided details of interim implementing measures relating to the two requirements. These measures have been an important topic of discussion in the Committee during the year.
"Buy National" requirements raise concerns for trade and the international trading system in three main ways. First, they can exclude foreign suppliers from markets in which they could otherwise hope to compete, either by reserving the market completely for domestic suppliers or by introducing administrative complexities that make procurement procedures less easily accessible for foreign suppliers. Second, paradoxically, in some cases they may even raise the costs or impede the operations of domestic companies in the countries implementing the relevant measures, if such companies experience difficulties in sourcing domestically and cannot easily obtain waivers for purchases abroad. Third, as in other economic sectors, the implementation of discriminatory government procurement measures in one country may engender pressures for the adoption of similar measures by other countries. In this context, following the adoption of the U.S. stimulus legislation, China reinforced its own "Buy Chinese" regulations and there were press reports of pressures building for the adoption of "Buy Canadian" procurement measures particularly at the sub-central government level.
The guarantees embodied in the Agreement on Government Procurement are limited in two main ways. First, the protection afforded (i.e. the guarantees of national treatment, non-discrimination and fair procedures) apply only to Parties to the Agreement. Governments that are not Parties to the Agreement receive no protection under it. Second, the guarantees apply only to procurement "covered" by the Agreement (undertaken by entities referred to in each Party's Appendix I annexes), above relevant thresholds, and not otherwise excluded through limitations that are incorporated in the annexes.
Work under way in the WTO Committee on Government Procurement is addressing these limitations in the scope and coverage of the GPA in two important ways. First, negotiations are continuing among the existing Parties to the Agreement to extend the range of their procurements that are covered by the Agreement and to eliminate remaining discriminatory measures, pursuant to a commitment that was built into the Agreement when it was adopted in 1994.[40] Second, efforts are under way to broaden the membership of the Agreement. The accession of Chinese Taipei took effect on 15 July 2009.[41] Nine other WTO Members have applied for accession to the Agreement: Albania, Armenia, China, Georgia, Jordan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Moldova, Oman and Panama. The accessions of Armenia, China, Jordan and Moldova were the subject of active discussion in the Committee during the past year. In addition, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Mongolia, Saudi Arabia, and the Ukraine have provisions in their respective Protocols of Accession to the WTO that call for them to seek accession to the GPA. The eventual inclusion of these and perhaps other WTO Members among the Parties to the GPA would substantially enhance the Agreement's importance as an instrument of international economic policy.
TRANSPARENCY AND NOTIFICATIONS
THIS REPORT TO THE TRADE POLICY REVIEW BODY, UNDER PARAGRAPH G OF THE TPRM MANDATE, AND THE INFORMAL REPORTS BY THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL THAT HAVE PRECEDED IT THIS YEAR, WERE PREPARED ON THE BASIS OF INFORMATION PROVIDED BY MEMBERS AND OBSERVER GOVERNMENTS TO THE WTO SECRETARIAT ON SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO THEIR TRADE POLICIES. PROVIDING GREATER TRANSPARENCY IN, AND UNDERSTANDING OF, THE TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES OF MEMBERS IS CENTRAL TO MEETING THE PURPOSE OF THE TPRM AND ALLOWING MEMBERS TO MONITOR SIGNIFICANT POLICY ISSUES AFFECTING THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM.
More detailed monitoring of specific trade measures is carried out under each of the WTO Agreements. Following the request of 26 February 2009 by the Chairman of the General Council to all Chairs of WTO Councils and Committees asking them to consult Members on ways to improve the timeliness and completeness of notifications and other information flows on trade measures, an intensive work programme was initiated by all of them wherever this was needed. In many cases, substantive progress is being made with a view to enhance notification procedures, either by making them more structured or by introducing more user-friendly reporting mechanisms.[42] Overall, Members recognize the need to improve timely compliance with their notification obligations, the importance of enhancing institutional capacity to analyse notified information, and to improve access to information flows on trade measures. Members also recognize the constraints facing many developing and developed countries, ranging from shortage in human resources to internal coordination challenges. Efforts are being made by the WTO Secretariat to help improve Members' compliance, in particular through technical assistance.[43]
The consultative work initiated by Chairs of WTO Councils and Committees is continuing in a number of bodies and, in some cases, results of surveys on how to improve the timeliness and completeness of notifications under existing procedures have been prepared by the WTO Secretariat. Most Councils and Committees are reviewing their notification procedures and proposals are being made on how to improve Members’ compliance with existing notification obligations both in terms of completeness and timeliness. Proposals have also been made in certain bodies on how to address domestic problems associated with meeting notification obligations.
The Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures, after finding that the level of compliance with notification obligations was low overall, adopted at its meeting on 20 October 2009 new standard formats for notification of countervailing actions (semi-annual reports and on the minimum information to be provided in the reports).
The Committee on Anti-Dumping Practices had adopted in October 2008 a new revised format for semi-annual reports and the Secretariat was asked to send frequent reminders prior to set deadlines. At its meeting on 21 October 2009, the Committee adopted three decisions to enhance transparency and streamline the reporting process. They include a one-time notification format to assist those long-standing "non-notifiers" (the Secretariat was asked to provide the necessary technical assistance); a decision on electronic submission of all notifications submitted to the Committee; and the introduction of an additional paragraph to the minimum information format that Members use to notify their ad hoc notifications of preliminary and final actions.
At its meeting on 19 October 2009, the Committee on Safeguards approved several new and improved notification formats, which will greatly increase transparency in safeguard actions.
The TBT Committee regularly reviews the implementation of the Agreement's provisions related to transparency. The outcome of the review process has been a series of decisions that enhance transparency in terms of practical recommendations to Members. Currently, the Committee is conducting the Fifth Triennial Review, which includes discussions on both transparency (including with respect to notifications) and the Committee's regular review of specific trade concerns.[44]
The SPS Committee conducts a regular review of the implementation of transparency provisions. Revised notification formats and transparency recommendations took effect in December 2008. A step-by-step procedural manual on implementing the transparency recommendations was also revised in early 2009. A searchable database of SPS notifications and other documents (including "counter notifications" or specific trade concerns) has been publicly available since 2007, to assist Members manage the available information. Development of a mechanism for the on-line submission of SPS notifications by Members is under way.
The TRIMS Committee found that the level of compliance with notification obligations was not satisfactory, and agreed at its meeting on 20 May that the Secretariat should issue reminders every six months to Members (also containing guidance) and request that those that have never notified relevant information to do so without delay. A reminder was circulated on 24 June 2009.
The Committee on Import Licensing found that compliance with notification obligations was not satisfactory; nevertheless the number of notifications has improved during the last four years. The Secretariat and the Central Registry of Notifications (CRN) send reminders twice a year, recalling Members of their transparency obligations. In August 2009, the Chair sent specific letters to all Members highlighting the date of the last notification received from their authorities, responses to the Annual Questionnaire, and inviting them to review the status of their notifications in general and update them whenever necessary. An internal database allows the Secretariat to process information contained in the three different types of notifications under the Agreement and to issue reports on the different licensing regimes, product coverage, types of licence, purpose, and pertinent legislation. A new database is being developed and should be operational by mid 2010. This will be available to Members and the public and will provide access to electronic versions of notified legislation on import licensing procedures.
There has been significant improvement in the notification of RTAs since the establishment of the Transparency Mechanism. This improvement is also due to the fact that the notification format for all RTAs has been simplified and consolidated and the WTO Secretariat has taken a more active role in monitoring and reminding Members about their notification obligations. More recently, responding to the request by the Chairman of the General Council, the Chairman of the CRTA has also contacted certain Members that are parties to RTAs currently in force but not yet notified, seeking details on when these agreements are to be notified.
Following an examination of summary statistics prepared on the basis of the notifications contained in the Quantitative Restrictions database, Members were of the view that the level of compliance with the notification requirements as provided for in G/L/59 was not good. One of the reasons for this appeared to be the lack of clarity among Members on the quantitative restrictions to be notified pursuant to that decision. The Committee on Market Access will be looking into this question shortly, and at other issues such as the circulation of notifications which presently are only inputted into the database.
Since the creation of the Integrated Data Base (IDB), Members have notified 54 per cent of requested tariff information and 59 per cent of import notifications. Very few Members comply with specific deadlines. To overcome this situation, the WTO Secretariat proposed to Members ways to enhance IDB notifications compliance. A framework to enhance IDB notifications compliance was adopted by the Committee on Market Access on 13 July 2009.[45] This framework gives the Secretariat more flexibility to collect data from official national, regional or international sources under certain circumstances.
The Committee on Agriculture recognized that monitoring and surveillance could be reinforced through improvements in the timeliness and completeness of notifications albeit within existing procedures and prescribed formats and timelines. The WTO Secretariat elaborated a questionnaire to collect information on Members' experiences in preparing, submitting and analysing notifications, and to identify potential solutions.[46] Further to the release of the survey results[47], a Work Programme[48] was devised prioritizing specific elements for action to be taken by the Committee and the Secretariat, including: technical assistance and training[49]; improving access to relevant documentation, notably through the electronic dissemination of notifications, circulating an official and unrestricted WTO document (previously a room document) showing Members' compliance status[50], redesigning the public and Members' web sites; and sharing of datasets on notified information with Members. The above elements have been successfully delivered. Others are upcoming, such as revising the Notifications Handbook; developing e-learning modules; holding consultations on “best practices”; or exchanging ideas regarding a prospective on-line system for the submission of notifications.
The Council on Trade in Services is aware that compliance with the notification obligations under the GATS is a matter of utmost importance and has held substantive discussions on how to improve it. The Swiss delegation made a written submission on this issue and the Secretariat circulated a statistical account of all services notifications. During the Council discussions, Members made a number of suggestions including, inter alia, online submissions and to update the statistical information regularly. At the meeting of the Services Council on 5 November 2009, the Swiss delegation requested that the item regarding compliance with notification obligations under the GATS be maintained on the agenda.
The TRIPS Council invited the WTO Secretariat, at its meeting on 8 June 2009, to prepare a factual background note summarizing the relevant notification procedures and providing references to relevant decisions, as well as providing information on the use of these procedures by Members, and to prepare suggestions for the Council's consideration at its next meeting on how to improve the transparency and user-friendliness of the notification system.[51]
Members of the Committee on Customs Valuation found that notification compliance was not satisfactory, and that the mechanism could be improved. To date, 80 Members have notified their national legislation on customs valuation (counting the EU(27) as one). In addition, 56 Members have not yet notified their responses to the Checklist of Issues, although this is a requirement under the Agreement. With respect to the Decision on Interest Charges and Valuation of Carrier Media Bearing Software, only 36 Members have notified the date from which they are applying the Decision. At the informal consultations held on 17 March to discuss the timeliness and completeness of notification requirements in this Committee, some oral suggestions were made on how to improve notification. However these suggestions were not followed-up with formal proposals and no further action has been taken by the Committee.
Members of the Committee on Customs Valuation which monitors the Agreement on Preshipment Inspection (PSI), feel that notification is satisfactory. This is essentially because notification should be made only when a Member uses PSI or has legislation relating to PSI. Members that have not notified are presumed to not have such legislation.
In carrying forward this exercise in 2010, it is important to keep in mind the need for a coherent approach across all WTO Councils and Committees, as well as the TPRB, so that results in each area can be incorporated into an enhanced transparency and trade information system that covers all areas of WTO rules, all sectors of trade, and all WTO Members. Better use needs to be made of common formats that are compatible with modern electronic means for handling, storing, and disseminating data. There needs to be increased cooperation with other inter-governmental organizations to take advantage of areas in which they have particular strengths and to avoid duplication of work. The exercise needs also to be supported by the Secretariat, through technical assistance, to enhance both the contribution of, and the benefits for, developing countries and LDCs.
ANNEX 1
Trade and trade-related measures[52]
(October 2008 – October 2009)
VERIFIED INFORMATION
|Country/ |Measure |Source/Date |Status (in force unless |
|Member State | | |otherwise indicated) |
|Argentina |Introduction of non-automatic import licensing |Resoluciones Nos. 343/07; | |
| |requirements, covering products such as textiles, |588/08; 444/04; MP 26/09, and| |
| |steel, metallurgical products, and tyres. |MP 61/09 (Various dates | |
| | |starting on 4 November 2008 | |
| | |to 4 March 2009). | |
|Argentina |Introduction of reference prices covering around 1,000|Permanent Delegation of | |
| |imported products considered sensitive (i.e. auto |Argentina to the WTO (18 | |
| |parts, textiles, TV, toys, shoes, and leather goods). |February 2009). | |
| |These products may be subject to control for customs | | |
| |valuation purposes. | | |
|Argentina |Elimination of export taxes (set at 5% in August 2006)|Permanent Delegation of | |
| |for dairy products (35 HS tariff lines - Codes 0401; |Argentina to the WTO (6 March| |
| |0402; 0403; 0404; 0405; 0406; and 1901.90.90), as from|2009). | |
| |1 January 2009. | | |
|Argentina |Imposition of precautionary price references for |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |copper exports (NCM 7401). |Argentina to the WTO (9 March| |
| | |2009). | |
|Argentina |Introduction of "criterion values" (valores criterios)|Permanent Delegation of | |
| |for imports of products such as "cermet" (ceramic and |Argentina to the WTO (17, | |
| |metal manufactures); sweaters and pullovers; brake |27 March, and 14 April 2009).| |
| |pads, linings, and clutches discs; and electric | | |
| |heating radiators and equipments. | | |
|Argentina |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Permanent Delegation of | |
| |stainless knives (NCM 8211.92) from Brazil and China |Argentina to the WTO | |
| |(26 March 2009). |(26 March 2009). | |
|Argentina |Incorporation of 12 new items to the list of products |WTO Document | |
| |subject to import licensing procedures such as |G/LIC/N/2/ARG/4/Add.2 of | |
| |aluminium, and miscellaneous articles of base metal. |1 April 2009, and various | |
| | |other dates. | |
|Argentina |Suspension (for 30 days) of import licensing |Permanent Delegation of |No longer applicable. |
| |requirements for self-tapping screws, and other types |Argentina to the WTO | |
| |of screws and bolts. |(15 April 2009). | |
|Argentina |Change in import procedures for tyres for final |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |consumption (one tariff line). |Argentina to the WTO | |
| | |(23 April 2009). | |
|Argentina |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Permanent Delegation of | |
| |manual kitchen lighters from China. |Argentina to the WTO (10 July| |
| | |2009). | |
|Argentina |Change in the coverage of non-automatic import |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |licences (affecting products such as switching and |Argentina to the WTO (14 July| |
| |routing apparatus, and electrical generators). |2009). | |
|Argentina |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Permanent Delegation of | |
| |printing ink from Brazil. |Argentina to the WTO (16 July| |
| | |2009). | |
|Argentina |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Permanent Delegation of | |
| |insulation displacement connectors from India. |Argentina to the WTO (21 July| |
| | |2009). | |
|Annex 1 (cont'd) |
|Argentina |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Resolución SICPME No. | |
| |electric pumps (NCM 8413.70.80; 8413.70.90) from |295/2009 (15 September 2009).| |
| |China. | | |
|Argentina |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Resolución SICPME | |
| |hypodermic syringes (NCM 9018.31.11; 9818.31.19) from |No. 296/2009 (15 September | |
| |China. |2009). | |
|Argentina |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Resolución SICPME | |
| |gas screw compressors (NCM 8414.30.90; 8414.80.32) |No. 297/2009 (15 September | |
| |from Brazil. |2009). | |
|Argentina |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Resolución SICPME | |
| |methane chloride (NCM 2903.49.11) from China. |No. 318/2009 (29 September | |
| | |2009). | |
|Argentina |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/ARG | |
| |synthetic filament yarn (NCM 5402.33) and man made |of 7 October 2009. | |
| |staple fibres (NCM 5503.20) from China, India, | | |
| |Indonesia, and Chinese Taipei (17 November 2008). | | |
|Argentina |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/ARG |Provisional measure imposed on |
| |taffeta ligament weft and warp fabrics (NCM 5407.61 |of 7 October 2009. |5 September 2009. |
| |and 5407.69) from Brazil and China (12 January 2009). | | |
|Argentina |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/ARG | |
| |multifunction appliances for processing of food and |of 7 October 2009. | |
| |beverages (NCM 8509.40) from Brazil and China (14 | | |
| |January 2009). | | |
|Argentina |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/ARG | |
| |laminate floors (NCM 4410; 4411) from China, Germany |of 7 October 2009. | |
| |and Switzerland (28 January 2009). | | |
|Argentina |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/ARG | |
| |footwear (NCM 6401; 6402;6403; 6404; 6405) from China |of 7 October 2009. | |
| |(2 March 2009). | | |
|Argentina |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/ARG | |
| |road wheels for trailers and semi-trailers (NCM |of 7 October 2009. | |
| |8708.70.90, 8716.90) from China (9 March 2009). | | |
|Argentina |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/ARG | |
| |denim (NCM 5208.43; 5209.42; 5210.49; 5211.42) from |of 7 October 2009. | |
| |China (30 March 2009). | | |
|Argentina |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/ARG | |
| |CDs (NCM 8523.40) from Paraguay (30 March 2009). |of 7 October 2009. | |
|Argentina |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/ARG |Provisional measure imposed for|
| |piping accessories (NCM 7307.19; 7307.93) from Brazil |of 7 October 2009. |imports from China on 6 May |
| |(18 May 2009) and China (23 October 2008). | |2009. |
|Argentina |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/ARG | |
| |elevator engines (NCM 8425.31) from China (3 June |of 7 October 2009. | |
| |2009). | | |
|Argentina |Anti-dumping duties on imports of cypermethrin (NCM |WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/ARG |Terminated on 23 March 2009. |
| |3808.10) from India (27 April 2006). |of 7 October 2009. | |
|Argentina |Anti-dumping duties on imports of certain polyethylene|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/ARG |Terminated on 22 May 2009. |
| |terephthalate (PET) (NCM 3907.60) from Brazil. |of 7 October 2009. | |
|Argentina |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Resolución No. 2/2009 SICPME | |
| |electric space heating apparatus, and soil heating |(19 October 2009). | |
| |apparatus (NCM 8516.29.00) from China (20 October | | |
| |2009). | | |
|Annex 1 (cont'd) |
|Armenia |Import ban of animal origin food, raw materials, |Global Public Health |The ban on imports from Canada |
| |feedstuffs, live pigs, pork, pork semen, and feedstuff|Intelligence Network (GPHIN).|was lifted. |
| |and feed additives for pigs prepared from pork from | | |
| |Mexico, Canada and the United States (A(H1N1) Flu | | |
| |related). | | |
|Australia |Gradual reduction of applied tariffs on textiles, |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |clothing, and footwear products until 2015. |Australia to the WTO (March | |
| | |2009). | |
|Australia |Anti-dumping duties on imports of polyethylene, linear|WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/AUS |Terminated on 3 December 2008. |
| |low density (HS 3901.10; 3901.90) from Korea (3 |of 3 March 2009. | |
| |December 2007). | | |
|Australia |Anti-dumping duties on imports of polyethylene, high |WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/AUS |Terminated on 17 December 2008.|
| |density from Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Sweden (18|of 3 March 2009. | |
| |March 2008). | | |
|Australia |Anti-dumping duties on imports of certain hot rolled |Permanent Delegation of |Terminated without review on 1 |
| |plate steel (HS 7208.51; 7208.52) from China, |Australia to the WTO. |April 2009. |
| |Indonesia, Japan and Korea. | | |
|Australia |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Permanent Delegation of | |
| |linear low density polyethylene (3901.10; 3901.90) |Australia to the WTO (28 May | |
| |from Canada and the United States (28 May 2009). |2009). | |
|Australia |Countervailing investigation on imports of hollow |Permanent Delegation of |Terminated on 5 June 2009. |
| |structural steel sections from China. |Australia to the WTO. | |
|Australia |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Permanent Delegation of | |
| |aluminium extrusions (7604; 7608; 7610) from China (24|Australia to the WTO (24 June| |
| |June 2009). |2009). | |
|Australia |Initiation of countervailing duty investigation on |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |imports of aluminium extrusions (7604; 7608; 7610) |Australia to the WTO (24 June| |
| |from China. |2009). | |
|Australia |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/AUS |Provisional measure imposed on |
| |geosynthetic clay liners (6815.99) from Germany (5 |of 30 September 2009. |8 May 2009. |
| |January 2009). | | |
|Australia |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/AUS |Terminated on 20 May 2009. |
| |hollow structural sections (7306.30; 7306.61; 7306.69)|of 30 September 2009. | |
| |from Malaysia (18 December 2008). | | |
|Australia |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/AUS |Terminated on 6 June 2009. |
| |hollow structural sections (7306.30; 7306.61; 7306.69)|of 30 September 2009. | |
| |from China (18 December 2008). | | |
|Azerbaijan |Import ban of pork products from North America |Global Public Health |The ban on imports from Canada |
| |(A(H1N1) Flu related). |Intelligence Network (GPHIN).|was lifted. |
|Bahrain |Import ban of pork products from: Mexico, the United |Global Public Health |The ban was lifted in October |
| |States, and any country with A(H1N1) Flu confirmed |Intelligence Network (GPHIN).|2009. |
| |cases. | | |
|Belarus |Ban on fish imports. |Permanent Delegation of |The ban was lifted on 1 August |
| | |Belarus to the WTO. |2009. |
| |Exclusive rights to import fish and seafood products | | |
| |has been granted to the State. | | |
|Belarus |Import ban of meat, cattle, and poultry feed from: |Permanent Delegation of |The ban was lifted in October |
| |Canada, France, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, |Belarus to the WTO. |2009. |
| |and the United States (A(H1N1) Flu related). | | |
| | | | |
| |As from 7 May 2009 import ban of pigs, pork and pork | | |
| |products from Poland (A(H1N1) Flu related). | | |
|Belarus |Increase on import tariffs on certain goods such as |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |meat; wines; butter, fats, starch and ice cream; home |Belarus to the WTO (5 May | |
| |appliances; and wood products for nine months; and |2009). | |
| |vegetables for six months. | | |
|Belarus |Reduction of import tariffs on trucks and road |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |tractors for semi trailers emission class "Euro 4 and |Belarus to the WTO (18 June | |
| |5", for nine months. |2009). | |
|Annex 1 (cont'd) |
|Belarus |Increase on import tariffs on trucks and road tractors|Permanent Delegation of | |
| |for semi trailers emission class "Euro 3" (25% for new|Belarus to the WTO (18 June | |
| |and 50% for used), for nine months. |2009). | |
|Belarus |Elimination of import tariffs on 212 tariff lines |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |(ten-digit) of manufacturing equipment, for nine |Belarus to the WTO (1 July | |
| |months. |2009). | |
|Belarus |Elimination of import tariffs on chemical wood pulp; |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |and high tenacity yarn of nylon or other polyamides, |Belarus to the WTO (1 October| |
| |for nine months. |2009). | |
|Bolivia |Increase of import tariffs (to 35%) for 324 tariff |Decreto Supremo No. 0125 (15 | |
| |lines (i.e. clothing, textiles, furniture), as from |May 2009). | |
| |June 2009. | | |
|Bosnia & |Import ban of pork products from any country with |Global Public Health | |
|Herzegovina |A(H1N1) Flu confirmed cases. |Intelligence Network (GPHIN).| |
|Brazil |Inclusion of the meat sector in the drawback programme|Permanent Delegation of | |
| |(exception of federal taxes (9.5%) on the purchase of |Brazil to the WTO | |
| |national inputs for exportable products). |(10 February 2009). | |
|Brazil |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/BRA | |
| |magnesium ingot (NCM 8104.11.00; 8104.19.00) from |of 18 February 2009. | |
| |China (31 December 2008). | | |
|Brazil |Anti-dumping duties on imports of steel blade (for |WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/BRA |Terminated on 13 October 2008. |
| |stone cutting) from Italy (9 October 2003). |of 18 February 2009. | |
|Brazil |Anti-dumping duties on imports of mushrooms |WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/BRA |Terminated on 19 December 2008.|
| |provisionally preserved and prepared or preserved from|of 18 February 2009. | |
| |China (18 December 2003). | | |
|Brazil |Anti-dumping duties on imports of bicycle tyres from |WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/BRA |Terminated on 19 December 2008.|
| |Thailand. |of 18 February 2009. | |
|Brazil |Decision to increase the number of exporting companies|Permanent Delegation of | |
| |(allowing larger firms, with annual revenue up to |Brazil to the WTO | |
| |R$600 million (US$350.7 million)) with access to the |(23 February 2009). | |
| |government's export financing programme (Proex). There| | |
| |was no increase in the programme's budget. | | |
|Brazil |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Permanent Delegation of | |
| |synthetic fibre blankets (NCM 6301.40.00) from China |Brazil to the WTO (4 May | |
| |(5 May 2009). |2009). | |
|Brazil |New tax incentives (Integrated Drawback) for exporters|Permanent Delegation of |The full IPI reduction was |
| |(mainly agri-businesses); consisting in the |Brazil to the WTO (18 May |extended until September 2009. |
| |elimination of the IPI value-added tax (5%), or the |2009). |Since 1 October 2009, the tax |
| |PIS/Cofins social contribution on the basis of the | |break has been reduced. |
| |turnover (9.5%) on the purchase of inputs (local and | |The measure will be gradually |
| |imported) to be used in the manufacturing of export | |phased-out by the end of 2009. |
| |products. | | |
| |A similar scheme was already in place for machine | | |
| |parts, and equipment. | | |
|Brazil |Increase of import tariffs on wind turbines (from 0% |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |to 14%). |Brazil to the WTO (18 June | |
| |The Programme of Incentives for Alternatives |2009). | |
| |Electricity Sources (PROINFA) restricts the use of | | |
| |imported wind turbines (Portarias Nos. 211 and 242). | | |
|Brazil |Decrease of import tariffs (from 14% to duty-free) on |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |female sheath contraceptives; and trailers and |Brazil to the WTO (18 June | |
| |semi-trailers (from 35% to duty-free). |2009). | |
| |(Included on its national list of exemptions to the | | |
| |Mercosur Common Tariff). | | |
|Annex 1 (cont'd) |
|Brazil |Increase of import tariffs (from duty-free to 14%) on |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |electric generating sets and rotary converters (wind |Brazil to the WTO (18 June | |
| |powered). |2009). | |
| |(Included on its national list of exemptions to the | | |
| |Mercosur Common Tariff). | | |
|Brazil |Introduction of quota (up to 10,000 tonnes) for |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |imports of dairy products from Uruguay, until the end |Brazil to the WTO (second | |
| |of 2009. |semester of 2009). | |
|Brazil |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Permanent Delegation of | |
| |polypropylene from India, and the United States. |Brazil to the WTO (21 July | |
| | |2009). | |
|Brazil |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Permanent Delegation of | |
| |glass flasks up to 20ml. from India. |Brazil to the WTO (14 August | |
| | |2009). | |
|Brazil |Increase of import tariffs on lauryl and stearyl |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |alcohol, used in the production of cosmetic products, |Brazil to the WTO (31 August | |
| |(from 2% to 14%). |2009). | |
|Brazil |Reduction of import tariffs (from a range of 12-14% |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |down to 2%) on 114 products such as capital goods, |Brazil to the WTO | |
| |informatics, and telecommunication equipments. |(18 September 2009). | |
|Brazil |Anti-dumping duties on imports of horse nail or |WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/BRA |Terminated on 3 June 2009. |
| |horseshoe nail (NCM 7317.00.90) from Finland and India|of 18 September 2009. | |
| |(14 June 2004). | | |
|Brazil |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/BRA |Provisional measure imposed on |
| |footwear (NCM 6402-6405) from China (31 December |of 18 September 2009. |8 September 2009. |
| |2008). | | |
|Brazil |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/BRA | |
| |ball point pens (NCM 9608.10.00) from China |of 18 September 2009. | |
| |(30 October 2008). | | |
|Brazil |Anti-dumping duties on imports of nitrate of ammonia |WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/BRA |Suspended on 7 November 2008, |
| |(HS 3102.30) from Russia and Ukraine. |of 18 September 2009. |for a period of one year. |
|Brunei Darussalam |Import ban of pork meats from any country with A(H1N1)|Permanent Delegation of |The ban was lifted on 28 May |
| |Flu confirmed cases. |Brunei Darussalam to the WTO.|2009. |
|Cameroon |Import ban of pork products from any country with |Global Public Health | |
| |A(H1N1) Flu confirmed cases. |Intelligence Network (GPHIN).| |
|Canada |Elimination of import tariffs on 214 tariff lines |Permanent Delegation of |Tariffs permanently eliminated |
| |(machinery and equipment), with duty rates ranging |Canada to the WTO (28 January|as of 28 January 2009. |
| |from 2.5% to 11%. |2009). | |
|Canada |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on waterproof|Permanent Delegation of |Provisional measure imposed on |
| |footwear (HS 6401; 6402; 6403) from China and Viet Nam|Canada to the WTO |28 May 2009. Terminated on 25 |
| |(27 February 2009). |(27 February 2009). |September 2009. |
|Canada |Establishment of a tariff rate quota (10,000 tonnes) |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |for milk protein substances with a milk protein |Canada to the WTO (1 April | |
| |content of 85% or more, that do not originate in a |2009). | |
| |NAFTA country, Chile, Costa Rica, or Israel, for the | | |
| |period 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010 (in-quota tariff | | |
| |rate of 0%, and over-quota tariff rate of 270%). | | |
|Canada |Anti-dumping undertaking on imports of filter tipped |Permanent Delegation of |Terminated on 6 April 2009. |
| |cigarettes tubes (HS 4813.10) from France (reviewed on|Canada to the WTO. | |
| |5 January 2009). | | |
|Canada |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Permanent Delegation of |Preliminary determination on 27|
| |mattress innerspring (HS 7320.20; 9404.10; 9404.29) |Canada to the WTO (27 April |July 2009. |
| |units from China (27 April 2009). |2009). | |
|Canada |Renewal of the programme allowing the remission of |Permanent Delegation of |Effective until 4 May 2014. |
| |customs tariffs on the temporary importation of mobile|Canada to the WTO (4 May | |
| |offshore drilling units, for a further five-year |2009). | |
| |period. | | |
|Annex 1 (cont'd) |
|Canada |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Permanent Delegation of |Preliminary determination on 5 |
| |hot-rolled steel plate (HS 7208.51; 7208.52) from |Canada to the WTO (6 July |October 2009. |
| |Ukraine. |2009). | |
|Canada |Anti-dumping duties on imports of wood slats (for |Permanent Delegation of |Terminated on 15 July 2009. |
| |Venetian blinds) (HS 4421.90) from China and Mexico (7|Canada to the WTO. | |
| |November 2008). | | |
|Canada |Anti-dumping duties on imports of stainless steel wire|Permanent Delegation of |Terminated on 29 July 2009. |
| |(HS 7223.00) from India, Korea, Switzerland and the |Canada to the WTO. | |
| |United States (12 November 2008). | | |
|Canada |Countervailing duties on imports of stainless steel |Permanent Delegation of |Terminated on 29 July 2009. |
| |wire (HS 7223.00) from India. |Canada to the WTO. | |
|Canada |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Permanent Delegation of | |
| |certain oil country tubular goods from China. |Canada to the WTO (24 August | |
| | |2009). | |
|Canada |Initiation of countervailing investigation on imports |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |of certain oil country tubular goods from China. |Canada to the WTO (24 August | |
| | |2009). | |
|Canada |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Permanent Delegation of | |
| |thermal insulation board from the United States. |Canada to the WTO (8 October | |
| | |2009). | |
|Chad |Import ban of pork products from any country with |Global Public Health | |
| |A(H1N1) Flu confirmed cases. |Intelligence Network (GPHIN).| |
|Chile |Initiation of safeguard investigation on imports of |WTO Document G/SG/N/6/CHL/12 |Provisional measure imposed on |
| |powdered milk and cheese (HS 0406.90.10). |of 18 September 2009. |10 October 2009. |
|China |Import ban of live pigs and pork products from: Mexico|Permanent Delegation of China| |
| |and a number of US states (26 and 29 April 2009), and |to the WTO. | |
| |Canada (Alberta) (3 May 2009) (A(H1N1) Flu related). | | |
|China |Import ban on Irish pork. |Permanent Delegation of China| |
| | |to the WTO (December 2008). | |
|China |Elimination of export duties on 102 products including|Permanent Delegation of China| |
| |certain steel plates. |to the WTO (1 December 2008).| |
| |Reduction of export duties on 23 products, including | | |
| |for example yellow phosphorous. | | |
|China |Export duties on five products (including apatite and |Permanent Delegation of China| |
| |silicon) raised from 10% to 15%, or from 20% to 35%. |to the WTO (1 December 2008).| |
|China |Elimination of lower Interim Import Tariff Rates on |Permanent Delegation of China| |
| |soybean oil-cake, pork, and neem oil, and resumption |to the WTO (1 January 2009). | |
| |of normal MFN rates. | | |
|China |Cancellation of export licensing administration on |Permanent Delegation of China| |
| |silk worm cocoon, and certain silk products. |to the WTO (1 January 2009). | |
|China |Adjustment of the list of products subject to |Permanent Delegation of China| |
| |prohibition and restriction under processing trade |to the WTO (1 February 2009).| |
| |(certain plastic raw materials, plastic and wood | | |
| |products, textiles products, and metallic products | | |
| |delete from the list). | | |
|China |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Permanent Delegation of China| |
| |terephthalic acid (HS 2917.36) from Korea and Thailand|to the WTO (12 February | |
| |(12 February 2009). |2009). | |
|China |Restrictions on the export of certain highly |Permanent Delegation of China| |
| |energy-consuming, highly-polluting, and exhaustible |to the WTO (24 February | |
| |resource products. |2009). | |
|China |Trade facilitating measures to speed up customs |Permanent Delegation of China| |
| |procedures and formalities. |to the WTO (March 2009). | |
|Annex 1 (cont'd) |
|China |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Permanent Delegation of China| |
| |nucleotide-type food additives (HS 2934.99; 3824.90) |to the WTO (24 March 2009). | |
| |from Indonesia and Thailand (24 March 2009). | | |
|China |VAT rebate rates increased on exports of certain |Permanent Delegation of China| |
| |products including: iron and steel; non ferrous |to the WTO (1 April 2009). | |
| |metals; petrochemicals; electronic and information | | |
| |technology products; and also some light industries | | |
| |such as textiles and clothing. None of these rebates | | |
| |exceed the current VAT rate of 17%. | | |
|China |Establishment of currency swaps (Y 650 billion |Permanent Delegation of China| |
| |(US$95.2 billion)), to facilitate trade with: |to the WTO (2 April 2009). | |
| |Argentina, Belarus, Hong Kong China, Indonesia, Korea,| | |
| |and Malaysia. | | |
|China |Postal Law, approved on 24 April 2009, confirming the |Permanent Delegation of China| |
| |bans (already included in the 1986 Postal Law) on |to the WTO (24 April 2009). | |
| |foreign courier companies from delivering express | | |
| |letters as of 1 October 2009, although they can still | | |
| |deliver express parcels and deliver letters | | |
| |internationally. | | |
|China |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Permanent Delegation of China| |
| |polyamide-6 (HS 3908.10) from the EC, Chinese Taipei, |to the WTO (29 April 2009). | |
| |Russia, and the United States (29 April 2009). | | |
|China |Changes in travel agency regulation allowing foreign |Permanent Delegation of China| |
| |invested travel agencies (already established in |to the WTO (1 May 2009). | |
| |China) to open local branches. | | |
|China |Cancellation of the policy of import duty reduction or|Permanent Delegation of China| |
| |exemption on imported products (if there is such |to the WTO (1 May 2009). | |
| |applicable policy) when these products are subject to | | |
| |trade remedy measures. | | |
|China |Circular from the Ministry of Industry and Information|Permanent Delegation of China| |
| |Technology regulating its government procurement |to the WTO (11 May 2009). | |
| |activities, under which it restates the practice of | | |
| |giving priority to domestic products, projects and | | |
| |services (provided for in the 2002 Law on Government | | |
| |Procurement). | | |
|China |The Chinese National Development and Reform Commission|National Development and | |
| |issued a notice jointly with eight other ministries |Reform Commission Notice | |
| |and agencies restating provisions in existing laws |referring to "Opinions on | |
| |including the 2002 law on government procurement |Further Strengthening | |
| |concerning government procurement of domestic products|Supervision and | |
| |and services. |Administration of | |
| | |Construction Project Bid | |
| | |Invitation and Bidding" | |
| | |(1 June 2009). | |
|China |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Permanent Delegation of China| |
| |methyl-alcohol (HS 2905.11) from Indonesia, Malaysia, |to the WTO (24 June 2009). | |
| |New Zealand, and Saudi Arabia (24 June 2009). | | |
|China |Anti-dumping duties on imports of newsprint (HS |Permanent Delegation of China|Terminated without review on 30|
| |4801.00; 4802.61; 4802.69) from Canada, Korea and the |to the WTO. |June 2009. |
| |United States. | | |
|China |Elimination or reduction of export taxes on certain |Permanent Delegation of China| |
| |products such as wheat, rice, metals, fertilizers and |to the WTO (1 July 2009). | |
| |resource materials, as from 1 July 2009. | | |
|China |Introduction of automatic import license for fresh |Permanent Delegation of China| |
| |milk, milk powder and whey for statistic purpose of |to the WTO (10 July 2009). | |
| |import monitoring. | | |
| |Chinese buyers of dairy products are required to | | |
| |report their imports to the China Chamber of Commerce | | |
| |of Import and Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce and| | |
| |Animal By-Products. | | |
|Annex 1 (cont'd) |
|China |Administration measures and rules for verification for|Permanent Delegation of China|Abolished as from 1 September |
| |importation of auto parts with the features of |to the WTO (28 August 2009). |2009. |
| |finished automobiles. | | |
|China |Initiation of countervailing investigation on imports |Permanent Delegation of China| |
| |of grain oriented electrical flat-rolled electrical |to the WTO (9 September | |
| |steel (HS 7225.11; 7226.11) from the United States (1 |2009). | |
| |June 2009). | | |
|China |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/CHN | |
| |grain oriented electrical flat-rolled electrical steel|9 September 2009. | |
| |(HS 7225.11; 7226.11) from Russia and the United | | |
| |States (1 June 2009). | | |
|China |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/CHN |Provisional measure imposed on |
| |adipic acid (HS 2917.12) from the EC, Korea, and the |of 9 September 2009. |26 June 2009. |
| |United States (10 November 2008). | | |
|China |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/CHN | |
| |certain iron or steel fasteners (HS 7318.12; 7318.14; |of 9 September 2009. | |
| |7318.15; 7318.21; 7318.22) from the EC (29 December | | |
| |2008). | | |
|China |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/CHN |Provisional measure imposed on |
| |polyamide-6,6 (HS 3908.10) from France, Italy, Chinese|of 9 September 2009. |26 June. |
| |Taipei, United Kingdom, and the United States (14 | | |
| |November 2008). | | |
|China |Anti-dumping duties on imports of acrylate esters (HS |WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/CHN |Terminated on 8 April 2009. |
| |2916.12) from Korea (9 April 2008). |of 9 September 2009. | |
|China |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/CHN |Terminated without measure on |
| |gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (HS 9027.20; |of 9 September 2009. |20 April 2009. |
| |9027.50; 9027.80) from Japan (5 June 2008). | | |
|China |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Permanent Delegation of China| |
| |broiler chicken products from the United States. |to the WTO (27 September | |
| | |2009). | |
|China |Initiation of countervailing duty investigation on |Permanent Delegation of China| |
| |imports of broiler chicken products from the United |to the WTO (27 September | |
| |States. |2009). | |
|Colombia |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Permanent Delegation of | |
| |casing and tubing from China. |Colombia to the WTO. | |
|Colombia |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/COL |Preliminary determination on 30|
| |elastic bands for retreating tyres (HS 4012.90) from |of 12 October 2009. |April 2009. |
| |Brazil and Mexico (19 January 2009). | | |
|Colombia |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/COL |Provisional measure imposed on |
| |blenders (HS 8509.40) from China (26 February 2009). |of 12 October 2009. |10 June 2009. Investigation |
| | | |terminated on 11 August 2009 |
| | | |(provisional duties |
| | | |reimbursed). |
|Costa Rica |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/CRI | |
| |canned tuna (HS 160414.90.10) from Brazil and El |of 18 September 2009. | |
| |Salvador (12 June 2009). | | |
|Croatia |Import ban of pork products and live hogs from several|Permanent Delegation of |The ban was lifted for all |
| |countries with confirmed cases in North and South |Croatia to the WTO (29 April |countries except Mexico on 8 |
| |America (A(H1N1) Flu related). |2009). |May, and completely eliminated |
| | | |on 19 June 2009. |
|Croatia |Initiation of safeguard investigation on imports of |WTO Document G/SG/N/6/HRV of |Provisional measure imposed on |
| |semi-hard cheese and cheese substitutes (HS 0406; |30 July 2009. |23 June 2009. |
| |2106.90). | | |
|Dominican Republic|Initiation of safeguard investigation on imports of |WTO Document G/SG/N/6/DOM/1 | |
| |glass bottles. |of 15 April 2009. | |
|EC |Anti-dumping duties on imports of integrated |Commission Notice 2008/C |Terminated on 18 October 2008. |
| |electronic compact fluorescent lamps (CFL-i) (HS |258/04 (10 October 2008). | |
| |8539.31.90) from China. | | |
|Annex 1 (cont'd) |
|EC |Anti-dumping duties on imports of para-cresol (HS |WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/EEC |Terminated on 15 October 2008. |
| |2907.12.00) from China. |of 11 March 2009 | |
|EC |Temporary changes in the set of Commission Sate Aid |Public information available | |
| |guidelines increasing flexibility on short-term export|on the European Commission's | |
| |credits. |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |Various measures to increase access to trade finance |Delegation (17 December | |
| |for European exporters have also taken place at the |2008). | |
| |national level. | | |
|EC |Anti-dumping duties on imports of certain welded tubes|Commission Notice L 343 (17 |Terminated on 19 December 2008.|
| |and pipes of iron or non-alloy steel from |December 2008). | |
| |Bosnia-Herzegovina and Turkey. | | |
|EC |Reintroduction of export refunds for butter, cheese |Commission Regulations No. | |
| |and whole and skim milk powder (as of 19 January |57/2009, 58/2009, and 59/2009| |
| |2009). Resumption of market interventions to buy |of 22 January 2009. | |
| |butter and skim milk powder from 1 March 2009. | | |
|EC |Anti-dumping duties on imports of bed linen (cotton |Commission Notice 2009/C |Terminated on 5 March 2009. |
| |type) (HS 6302) from Pakistan. |52/08 (5 March 2009). | |
|EC |Anti-dumping duties on imports of Rainbow trout (HS |Commission Notice 2009/C |Terminated on 12 March 2009. |
| |0302; 0303; 0304) from Faroe Islands. |57/04 (11 March 2009). | |
|EC |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/EEC | |
| |ring binder mechanisms from Thailand. |of 11 March 2009. | |
|EC |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Commission Notice 2009/C | |
| |certain cargo scanning systems (HS 8705; 9022; 9027; |63/09 of 18 March 2009. | |
| |9030) from China. | | |
|EC |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Commission Notice 2009/C | |
| |certain molybdenum wires, containing by weight at |84/07 (OJ C 84/5) (8 April | |
| |least 99.95% of molybdenum, of which the maximum |2009). | |
| |cross-sectional dimension exceeds 1.35 mm but does not| | |
| |exceed 4 mm (CN Code: 8102 96 00) from China. | | |
|EC |Increase in export refunds for milk and milk products.|Commission Regulations No. |Refunds for milk and milk |
| | |461/2009 of 4 June 2009 (OJ L|products reduced on |
| | |139/15). |17 September and 22 October |
| | | |2009. |
|EC |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Commission Decision |Terminated without measure on |
| |sodium metal (HS 2805.11.00) from the United States |2009/453/EC (11 June 2009). |11 June 2009. |
| |(23 July 2008). | | |
|EC |Initiation of countervailing duty investigation on |Commission Decision |Terminated without measure on |
| |imports of steel sodium metal (HS 2805.11.00) from the|2009/452/EC (11 June 2009). |11 June 2009. |
| |United States (23 July 2008). | | |
|EC |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Public information available | |
| |dry sodium gluconate from China. |on the European Commission's | |
| | |website transmitted by the EC| |
| | |Delegation (11 August 2009). | |
|EC |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Commission Regulation No. | |
| |steel ropes and cables (HS 7312) from Korea and |734/2009 (OJ L 208/09) (11 | |
| |Malaysia (11 August 2009) (possible circumvention of |August 2009). | |
| |anti-dumping measures imposed in 2005). | | |
|EC |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Public information available | |
| |certain aluminium road wheels from China. |on the European Commission's | |
| | |website transmitted by the EC| |
| | |Delegation (13 August 2009). | |
|Annex 1 (cont'd) |
|EC |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Public information available | |
| |certain stainless steel fasteners and parts thereof |on the European Commission's | |
| |from India and Malaysia. |website transmitted by the EC| |
| | |Delegation (13 August 2009). | |
|EC |Initiation of countervailing duty investigation on |Public information available | |
| |imports of certain stainless steel fasteners and parts|on the European Commission's | |
| |thereof from India and Malaysia. |website transmitted by the EC| |
| | |Delegation (13 August 2009). | |
|EC |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Public information available | |
| |certain polyethylene terephthalate (HS 3907.60.20) |on the European Commission's | |
| |from Iran, Pakistan, and the United Arab Emirates. |website transmitted by the EC| |
| | |Delegation (3 September | |
| | |2009). | |
|EC |Initiation of countervailing investigation on imports |Public information available | |
| |of certain polyethylene terephthalate (HS 3907.60.20) |on the European Commission's | |
| |from Iran, Pakistan, and the United Arab Emirates. |website transmitted by the EC| |
| | |Delegation (3 September | |
| | |2009). | |
|EC |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Commission Decision 2009/C |Terminated on 9 September 2009.|
| |certain welded tubes, pipes and hollow profiles of |698/EC (4 September 2009). | |
| |square or rectangular cross-section, of iron other | | |
| |than cast iron or steel other than or non-alloy steel | | |
| |(CN 7306 6192; 7306 6199) from Belarus, Turkey, and | | |
| |Ukraine (13 November 2008). | | |
|EC |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Public information available | |
| |high tenacity yarn of polyesters (other than sewing |on the European Commission's | |
| |thread), not put up for retail sale, including |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |monofilament of less than 67 decitex (HS 5402.20) from|Delegation (8 September | |
| |China, Korea, and Chinese Taipei. |2009). | |
|EC |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Public information available | |
| |ironing boards, whether or not free standing, with or |on the European Commission's | |
| |without a steam soaking and/or heating top and/or |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |blowing top, including sleeve boards, and essential |Delegation (2 October 2009). | |
| |parts thereof (i.e. the legs, the top and the iron | | |
| |rest) (HS 3924; 4421;7323; 8516) from China. | | |
|Ecuador |Import ban of live pigs and pork products from Canada |Permanent Delegation of |The ban on imports coming from |
| |and Mexico (A(H1N1) Flu related). |Ecuador to the WTO. |Mexico was lifted on 12 May |
| | | |2009. The ban on imports of |
| | | |pork from Canada was also |
| | | |lifted. |
|Ecuador |Import tariff reductions on 3,267 tariff lines |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |covering products such as: raw materials (from 7.6% to|Ecuador to the WTO (December | |
| |3.8%), and capital equipment (from 6.3% to 2.3%), not |2008). | |
| |locally produced. | | |
|Ecuador |Import tariff elimination for hybrid cars. |Permanent Delegation of | |
| | |Ecuador to the WTO (20 | |
| | |January 2009). | |
|Ecuador |Tariff increases on 630 tariff lines (accounting for |WTO Document |Tariff subheadings with |
| |8.7% of total lines, covering a wide range of goods, |WT/BOP/N/65/Rev.1 of 2 March |quantitative restrictions |
| |with a view to restore balance-of-payments. |2009. |replaced by a tariff surcharge |
| |(Article XVIII.B of GATT 1994). | |system. |
| | | | |
| |These measures are intended to be temporary and valid | | |
| |for one year. They are also applicable to members of | | |
| |the Andean Community (Effective as of 22 January | | |
| |2009). | | |
|Annex 1 (cont'd) |
|Egypt |Elimination of the export tax on cement on 19 October |Permanent Delegation of Egypt| |
| |2008. |to the WTO (October 2008). | |
|Egypt |Revision of the tariff schedule for a number of |Presidential Decree No. | |
| |products. Tariff decreases on the majority of them |51/2009 of 15 February 2009. | |
| |(for products such as raw materials, and intermediate | | |
| |goods). Tariff increases in products such as basic | | |
| |chemicals, bamboo manufacturing, rubber manufacturing,| | |
| |as well as certain basic machinery and medical | | |
| |equipment. | | |
|Egypt |Introduction of export tax on all kind of rice (HS |Permanent Delegation of Egypt| |
| |1006.10 to 1006.40) (LE 2,000/tonne (US$365.4/ |to the WTO (July 2009). | |
| |tonne)), as of July 2009. | | |
|Egypt |Elimination of import tariffs on sugar for the period |Permanent Delegation of Egypt| |
| |15 August to 31 December 2009. |to the WTO (August 2009). | |
|Egypt |Anti-dumping duties on imports of primary dry cell |WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/EGY |Terminated without review on 13|
| |batteries 1.5 volts – AA size (R6) from China. |of 30 September 2009. |June 2009. |
|Egypt |Anti-dumping duties on imports of matches in boxes |WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/EGY |Terminated on 10 February 2009.|
| |regular size from Pakistan. |of 30 September 2009. | |
|Egypt |Introduction of an export license system on milled |Permanent Delegation of Egypt| |
| |rice (HS1006.30). |to the WTO (October 2009). | |
|El Salvador |Temporary import ban (introduced on 25 April) of pork |Permanent Delegation of El |The ban was lifted on 1 May |
| |products from: Canada, Mexico, and the United States |Salvador to the WTO. |2009. |
| |(A(H1N1) Flu related). | | |
|Gabon |Import ban of pork and pork products from Mexico |Global Public Health | |
| |(A(H1N1) Flu related). |Intelligence Network (GPHIN).| |
|Ghana |Import ban of pork products from any country with |Global Public Health | |
| |A(H1N1) Flu confirmed cases. |Intelligence Network (GPHIN).| |
|Honduras |Import ban of pork meat from: Canada, Mexico, and the |Permanent Delegation of |The ban was lifted in May 2009.|
| |United States (A(H1N1) Flu related). |Honduras to the WTO. | |
|Hong Kong, China |Establishment of the State-owned "Hong Kong Export |Permanent Delegation of Hong | |
| |Credit Insurance Corporation (ECIC)" to encourage |Kong, China to the WTO, and | |
| |trade by providing exporters with insurance protection|WTO Document WT/WGTDF/W/41 of| |
| |against non-payment risk. |26 November 2008. | |
|India |Increase in import duties on a range of iron and steel|Permanent Delegation of India| |
| |products from 0% to 5% (restoration of previous duty).|to the WTO. | |
|India |Elimination of export duties on steel products (which |Permanent Delegation of India| |
| |were imposed in May 2008). |to the WTO (31 October 2008).| |
|India |Introduction of licensing requirements for imports of |Permanent Delegation of India| |
| |certain steel products and auto parts. Some of these |to the WTO (21 November | |
| |requirements were removed between December 2008 and |2008). | |
| |January 2009. | | |
|India |Under fiscal stimulus measures taken by the |Permanent Delegation of India| |
| |Government: elimination of import duties for naphtha |to the WTO (7 December 2008).| |
| |for use in the power sector; reduction of export | | |
| |duties on iron ore fines (from 15% to 5%); and lumps. | | |
|India |Initiation of safeguard investigation on imports of |WTO Document G/SG/N/6/IND/17 |Provisional and definitive |
| |phthalic anhydride (HS 2917.35). |of 16 December 2008. |measures imposed (until |
| | | |31 December 2009). |
|Annex 1 (cont'd) |
|India |Initiation of countervailing investigation on imports |Permanent Delegation of India| |
| |of sodium nitrate from China. |to the WTO (14 January 2009).| |
|India |Initiation of safeguard investigation on imports of |WTO Document G/SG/N/6/IND/18 | |
| |linear alkyl benzene (HS 3817.00.11). |of 19 January 2009. | |
|India |Removal of export duty and reduction of minimum export|Permanent Delegation of India| |
| |price for premium Basmati rice. |to the WTO (20 January 2009).| |
|India |Temporary ban on imports of toys from China (six |Notification No. | |
| |months), to ensure health and safety of children. |82/(RE-2008)/2004-2009 of 23 | |
| |Chinese toys allowed if accompanied by: |January 2009, amended by | |
| | |Notification No. | |
| |(i) a certificate that the toys being imported conform|91/(RE-2008)/ 2004-2009 of 2 | |
| |to the standards prescribed in ASTM F963 or standards |March 2009. | |
| |prescribed in ISO 8124 (Parts I-III) or IS 9873 [Parts| | |
| |I-III]; | | |
| | | | |
| |(ii) a certificate of Conformance from the | | |
| |manufacturer indicating that representative sample of | | |
| |toys being imported have been tested by an independent| | |
| |laboratory which is ILAC accredited and found to meet | | |
| |the specifications indicated above. | | |
|India |Initiation of safeguard investigation on imports of |WTO Document G/SG/N/6/IND/19 |Provisional and definitive |
| |dimethoate technical (HS 3808.10). |of 6 February 2009. |measures imposed (until |
| | | |22 March 2011). |
|India |Initiation of safeguard investigation on imports of |WTO Document G/SG/N/6/IND/20 | |
| |oxo alcohols (HS 2905). |of 9 February 2009. | |
|India |Initiation of safeguard investigation (China specific)|WTO Document G/SG/N/16/IND/3 |Provisional measure imposed on |
| |on imports of soda ash (HS 2836.20). |of 9 February 2009. |20 April 2009. |
|India |Initiation of safeguard investigation (China specific)|WTO Document G/SG/N/16/IND/4 |Provisional and definitive |
| |on imports of aluminium flat rolled products and |of 9 February 2009. |measures imposed on 2 February |
| |aluminium foil (HS 7606; 7607). | |and 19 June 2009 respectively. |
|India |Increase in the Minimum Support Price for cotton paid |Permanent Delegation of India| |
| |to local farmers. |to the WTO (14 February | |
| | |2009). | |
|India |Export incentives for a variety of exporters, and |Permanent Delegation of India| |
| |specific export incentives for textile and leather |to the WTO (26 February | |
| |products. |2009). | |
|India |Trade facilitation measures such as enlargement of the|Permanent Delegation of India| |
| |list of entities authorized to import directly |to the WTO (26 February | |
| |precious metals; removal of import restrictions on |2009). | |
| |worked corals; and simplification of export licensing | | |
| |requirements for blood samples. | | |
|India |Anti-dumping duties on imports of methylene |WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/IND |Terminated on 14 October 2008. |
| |chloride-II from Korea. |of 18 March 2009. | |
|India |Anti-dumping duties on imports of para hydroxy phenyl |WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/IND |Terminated on 11 November 2008.|
| |glycine methyl potassium dane salt (PHPG-DS) from |of 18 March 2009. | |
| |China and Singapore. | | |
|India |Initiation of safeguard investigation (China specific)|WTO Document G/SG/N/16/IND/5 |Terminated on 6 April 2009. |
| |on imports of nylon tyre cord fabric (HS 5902.10). |of 18 March 2009. | |
|India |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/IND | |
| |carbon black from Australia, China, Iran, Malaysia, |of 18 March 2009. | |
| |Russia, and Thailand (26 December 2008). | | |
|India |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/IND | |
| |tyres curing presses from China (16 October 2008). |of 18 March 2009. | |
|Annex 1 (cont'd) |
|India |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/IND | |
| |radial tyres from China and Thailand (21 October |of 18 March 2009. | |
| |2008). | | |
|India |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/IND |Terminated without measure on |
| |hot rolled products of steel from China, Indonesia, |of 18 March 2009. |11 August 2009. |
| |Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines,| | |
| |Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Thailand,| | |
| |Turkey and Ukraine (28 November 2008). | | |
|India |Imposition of 20% duty on imported soybean oils. |Permanent Delegation of India|Duty removed. |
| | |to the WTO (24 February and | |
| | |24 March 2009), and Customs | |
| | |Notification No. 27/2009. | |
|India |Import duty exemption on pulses (Customs Notification |Permanent Delegation of India| |
| |No. 28/2009). |to the WTO (26 March 2009). | |
|India |Exemption of import tariffs on raw and refined, or |Permanent Delegation of India| |
| |white sugar, under specified conditions. |to the WTO (17 April 2009). | |
|India |Initiation of safeguard investigation (China specific)|WTO Document G/SG/N/6/IND/16 |Provisional measure imposed on |
| |on imports of front axle, beam, steering knuckle and |of 11 May 2009. |9 June 2009. |
| |crankshaft. | | |
|India |Initiation of safeguard investigation on imports of |WTO Document G/SG/N/6/IND/21 | |
| |acrylic fibre. |of 11 May 2009. | |
|India |Initiation of safeguard investigation on imports of |WTO Document G/SG/N/6/IND/22 | |
| |hot-rolled coils, sheet, strips. |of 11 May 2009. | |
|India |Initiation of safeguard investigation on imports of |WTO Document G/SG/N/6/IND/23 | |
| |coated paper and paper board. |of 11 May 2009. | |
|India |Initiation of safeguard investigation on imports of |WTO Document G/SG/N/6/IND/24 | |
| |uncoated paper and copy paper. |of 26 May 2009. | |
|India |Initiation of safeguard investigation on imports of |WTO Document G/SG/N/6/IND/25 | |
| |plain particle board. |of 26 May 2009. | |
|India |Initiation of safeguard investigation (China specific)|WTO Document G/SG/N/16/IND/7 | |
| |on imports of passenger car tyres. |of 4 June 2009. | |
|India |Initiation of safeguard investigation on imports of |WTO Document G/SG/N/6/IND/26 | |
| |unwrought aluminium. |of 30 June 2009. | |
|India |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Notification | |
| |coumarin (HS 2932.21) from China. |No. 14/17/2009-DGAD (10 July | |
| | |2009). | |
|India |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Ministry of Commerce and | |
| |penicillin-g-potassium from China and Mexico; and of |Industry, Gazette of India | |
| |6- amino penicillanic acid from China. |Extraordinary | |
| | |No. 14/19/2009-DGAD (22 July | |
| | |2009). | |
|India |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Notification | |
| |phenol (HS 2707.60; 2907.11) from Japan and Thailand. |No. 14/27/2009-DGAD | |
| | |(11 August 2009). | |
|India |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Notification | |
| |acetone (HS 2914.11) from Japan and Thailand. |No. 14/31/2009-DGAD | |
| | |(2 September 2009). | |
|India |Extension of the export ban on edible oils until 30 |Permanent Delegation of India| |
| |September 2010. |to the WTO (4 September | |
| | |2009). | |
|Annex 1 (cont'd) |
|India |Initiation of safeguard investigation on imports of |WTO Document G/SG/N/6/IND/27 |Preliminary findings issued on |
| |sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) (HS 2815.11; 2815.12).|of 15 September 2009. |15 October 2009. |
|India |Anti-dumping duties on imports of acrylonitrile |WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/IND |Measure terminated on 2 January|
| |butadiene rubber from Germany (31 January 1997). |(forthcoming). |2009. |
|India |Anti-dumping duties on imports of met coke-I from |WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/IND |Measure terminated on |
| |China (6 May 1998). |(forthcoming). |16 January 2009. |
|India |Anti-dumping duties on imports of plastic ophthalmic |WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/IND |Measure terminated on |
| |lenses from China (5 September 2003). |(forthcoming). |12 February 2009. |
|India |Anti-dumping duties on imports of caustic soda-IV from|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/IND |Measure terminated on 13 May |
| |Chinese Taipei (27 March 2003). |(forthcoming). |2009. |
|India |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/IND |Terminated without measure on |
| |penicillin-G from China (3 November 2008). |(forthcoming). |22 May 2009. |
|India |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/IND |Terminated without measure on 5|
| |power steering gear system from China (13 June 2008). |(forthcoming). |June 2009. |
|India |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/IND |Provisional measure imposed on |
| |flax fabrics from China; and Hong Kong, China (3 |(forthcoming). |26 March 2009. |
| |October 2008). | | |
|India |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/IND |Provisional measure imposed on |
| |cold rolled products of stainless steel from China; |(forthcoming). |22 April 2009. |
| |EC; Japan; Korea; South Africa; Chinese Taipei, | | |
| |Thailand and the United Sates (25 November 2008). | | |
|India |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/IND |Provisional measure imposed on |
| |ceramic tiles from China (17 October 2008). |(forthcoming). |15 June 2009. |
|India |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/IND |Provisional measure imposed on |
| |front axle beam and steering knuckles from China (8 |(forthcoming). |15 June 2009. |
| |December 2008). | | |
|India |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/IND |Provisional measure imposed on |
| |phosphoric acid from Korea (12 November 2008). |(forthcoming). |22 June 2009. |
|India |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/IND |Provisional measure imposed on |
| |diethyl thio phosphoryl chloride from China (17 |(forthcoming). |22 June 2009. |
| |November 2008). | | |
|India |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/IND | |
| |polypropylene from Oman, Saudi Arabia and Singapore |(forthcoming). | |
| |(24 February 2009). | | |
|India |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/IND | |
| |phosphorous chemical compounds from China and the EC |(forthcoming). | |
| |(13 February 2009). | | |
|India |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/IND | |
| |viscose staple fibre from China and Indonesia (19 |(forthcoming). | |
| |March 2009). | | |
|India |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/IND | |
| |Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) transmission |(forthcoming). | |
| |equipment from China and Israel (21 April 2009). | | |
|India |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/IND | |
| |DVDs from Malaysia, Thailand, and Viet Nam (5 May |(forthcoming). | |
| |2009). | | |
|India |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/IND | |
| |circular weaving machines from China. (18 May 2009). |(forthcoming). | |
|Annex 1 (cont'd) |
|India |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/IND | |
| |barium carbonate from China (16 June 2009). |(forthcoming). | |
|Indonesia |Import ban of pigs and pork products from countries |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |with confirmed A(H1N1) Flu cases (ban not applied to |Indonesia to the WTO. | |
| |processed pork derivatives). | | |
|Indonesia |Initiation of safeguard investigation on imports of |Permanent Delegation of |Definitive measure imposed on |
| |dextrose monohydrate (DMH) (HS 1702.30). |Indonesia to the WTO. |24 August 2009, for a period of|
| | | |three years. |
|Indonesia |Ministry of Health Decree No. 1010/08 regulating |Permanent Delegation of |Amended on 1 December 2008. |
| |registration and imports of pharmaceutical products. |Indonesia to the WTO | |
| |The Decree establishes the separation between |(3 November 2008). | |
| |manufacturers and wholesalers to protect consumer | | |
| |health and the safety of pharmaceutical products. With| | |
| |regard to imports, initial registration must now be | | |
| |made through an Indonesian manufacturer. Once the | | |
| |registration process is complete the foreign company | | |
| |may directly sell to the wholesalers concerned. | | |
|Indonesia |Initiation of safeguard investigation on imports of |WTO Document G/SG/N/6/IDN/5 |Definitive measure imposed on 1|
| |wire nail, wire of iron/non-alloy steel, not plated |of 17 November 2008. |October 2009, for a period of |
| |(HS 7217.10.10; 7317.00.10). | |three years. |
|Indonesia |Restrictions on film imports. The regulation |Permanent Delegation of |The regulation entered into |
| |stipulates that celluloid film may only be imported in|Indonesia to the WTO |force on 1 January 2009. |
| |the form of negative film master or negative film dupe|(25 November 2008), and WTO | |
| |(reproduction of the master negative film), but may |Document G/MA/235 of 17 March| |
| |include a copy of the finished product. |2009. | |
| | | | |
| |The reported objective of the regulation is to deter | | |
| |film piracy and to increase efficiency of the | | |
| |enforcement of the Censorship Law. | | |
|Indonesia |New mining Law adopted in December 2008, promoting |Permanent Delegation of |Implementing regulations to be |
| |local processing of raw materials (mineral and coal). |Indonesia to the WTO |adopted. |
| |The regulation does not prohibit exports of these |(16 December 2008). | |
| |products. | | |
|Indonesia |New licensing, reporting, and pre-shipment inspection |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |requirements on over 500 goods (food and beverages, |Indonesia to the WTO | |
| |toys, electronics, footwear, and garments). |(1 January 2009 and 1 | |
| | |February 2009). | |
| |Restriction on entry points for those products to six | | |
| |seaports and all international airports. The | | |
| |legislation is reportedly aimed at combating illegal | | |
| |trade and safeguarding health and safety through the | | |
| |development of an effective tracking system. | | |
|Indonesia |Domestic content requirement for electric power |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |generation infrastructure constructions by state-owned|Indonesia to the WTO | |
| |enterprises. |(15 January 2009). | |
|Indonesia |Increase of import tariffs on 17 tariff lines such as:|Permanent Delegation of | |
| |petrochemical, steel, and electronic parts. |Indonesia to the WTO | |
| | |(13 February 2009). | |
|Indonesia |Reduction of import tariffs on 18 tariff lines. |Permanent Delegation of | |
| | |Indonesia to the WTO | |
| | |(13 February 2009). | |
|Indonesia |Stricter enforcement of registration requirements on |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |imported and domestic packaged food products. |Indonesia to the WTO (1 March| |
| | |2009). | |
|Indonesia |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/IDN | |
| |wheat flour from Australia, Korea and Turkey (17 |of 4 March 2009. | |
| |November 2008). | | |
|Indonesia |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/IDN | |
| |hot-rolled plate from China, Malaysia and Chinese, |of 4 March 2009. | |
| |Taipei (5 November 2008). | | |
|Annex 1 (cont'd) |
|Indonesia |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/IDN | |
| |carbon black from India, Korea and Thailand (3 |of 4 March 2009. | |
| |December 2008). | | |
|Indonesia |New regulation stipulating that exports of mining |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |products, crude palm oil, coffee, rubber, and cocoa |Indonesia to the WTO (5 March| |
| |with an export value exceeding US$1 million must be |2009). | |
| |supported by letters of credit issued by domestic | | |
| |banks. | | |
|Indonesia |New import tariffs (from 0 to 5%) for raw materials |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |for processed milk products (milk powder and processed|Indonesia to the WTO (28 May | |
| |milk). |2009). | |
|Indonesia |New Decree implementing pre-shipment inspection |Ministry of Trade Decrees | |
| |requirements for iron and steel products, to |Nos. 08/M-DAG/PER/2/2009 and | |
| |facilitate trade through among others reducing the |21/M-DAG/PER/6/2009 (11 June | |
| |number of products subject to verification (from 203 |2009). | |
| |to 169 HS items), and expansion of the coverage of the| | |
| |type of importers exempted from import registration | | |
| |requirements. | | |
|Indonesia |Measure to facilitate trade through the implementation|Permanent Delegation of | |
| |of a National Single Window. |Indonesia to the WTO (30 June| |
| | |2009). | |
|Indonesia |Government procurement regulations requiring the use |Permanent Delegation of |Decree amended on 13 October |
| |of domestic products and services. |Indonesia to the WTO |2009. |
| | |(12 August 2009). | |
|Indonesia |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/IDN | |
| |H&I Section (HS 7216.32.0000; 7216.33.0000) from China|of 8 October 2009. | |
| |(30 June 2009). | | |
|Indonesia |New Law on postal services abolishing monopoly power |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |for certain postal services, and establishing specific|Indonesia to the WTO | |
| |conditions for foreign providers (for example to |(14 October 2009). | |
| |cooperate with local service providers, majority of | | |
| |equity participation in joint ventures should be | | |
| |Indonesian, joint ventures between foreign and | | |
| |domestic providers limited to provincial capitals with| | |
| |international airports and seaports). | | |
|Indonesia |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document | |
| |hot-rolled coil (HS 7208) from Korea and Malaysia (8 |G/ADP/N/188/IDN/Rev.1 of 23 | |
| |April 2009). |October 2009. | |
|Indonesia |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document | |
| |polyester staple fibre (HS 5503.20.0000) from China, |G/ADP/N/188/IDN/Rev.1 of 23 | |
| |India and Chinese Taipei (20 April 2009). |October 2009. | |
|Israel |Anti-dumping duties on imports of flexible corner |WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/ISR |Terminated on 7 December 2008. |
| |drywall tape from China. |of 19 March 2009. | |
|Israel |Initiation of safeguard investigation on imports of |WTO Document G/SG/N/6/ISR/1 |Provisional measures imposed. |
| |steel rebars. |of 2 April 2009. | |
|Jordan |Initiation of safeguard investigation on imports of |WTO Document G/SG/N/6/JOR/13 |Terminated without measure on |
| |white cement (HS 2523.21). |of 25 November 2008. |19 May 2009. |
|Jordan |Initiation of safeguard investigation on imports of |WTO Document G/SG/N/6/JOR/14 |Definitive measure imposed for |
| |ceramic tiles (HS 6907.90; 6908.90). |of 28 November 2008. |a period of three years. |
|Jordan |Import ban on live swine, their meat and meat products|WTO Documents G/SPS/N/JOR/20 |The ban on imports on swine |
| |(including transit) from countries with A(H1N1) Flu |of 25 May 2009, and |meat and meat products was |
| |confirmed cases. |G/SPS/N/JOR/20/Add.1 of 18 |lifted on 15 July 2009. |
| | |August 2009. | |
|Kazakhstan |Import ban of raw meat from: Mexico and a number of US|Global Public Health |The ban on imports coming from |
| |states (A(H1N1) Flu related). |Intelligence Network (GPHIN).|Mexico was lifted on 12 May |
| | | |2009. |
|Annex 1 (cont'd) |
|Kazakhstan |Reduction of import tariffs on equipment and raw |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |materials that are not locally produced. |Kazakhstan to the UN | |
| | |(28 December 2008). | |
|Kazakhstan |Increase of import tariffs on finished goods, |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |competing with local production. |Kazakhstan to the UN | |
| | |(28 December 2008). | |
|Korea, Rep. of |Temporary import ban of swine from North America. |Permanent Delegation of Korea|The ban for pork imports from |
| |Imports of pork allowed after testing (A(H1N1) Flu |to the WTO. |Canada was lifted. |
| |related). | | |
|Korea, Rep. of |Tariffs on imports of crude oil increased to 3% in |Permanent Delegation of Korea| |
| |March 2009. |to the WTO (March 2009). | |
| |The tariff was lowered from 3% to 1% in 2004, on a | | |
| |temporary basis, in order to mitigate the effects of | | |
| |increases in oil prices. In light of the subsequent | | |
| |stabilization of oil prices, the applied tariff was | | |
| |restored to its original rate at 3%. | | |
|Korea, Rep. of |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/KOR |Provisional determination (no |
| |adipic acid (HS 2917.12) from the United States (5 |of 9 October 2009. |injury) on 25 March 2009. |
| |December 2008). | | |
|Kyrgyz Rep. |Import ban of all meat and meat products from: Mexico |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |and certain US states (Arizona, Arkansas, and Florida)|Kyrgyz Republic to the WTO. | |
| |(A(H1N1) Flu related). Import ban on pork and pork | | |
| |products from a number of Central American countries | | |
| |(A(H1N1) Flu related) (27 April 2009). | | |
|Kyrgyz Rep. |Initiation of safeguard investigation on imports of |WTO Document G/SG/N/6/KGZ/1 |Terminated without measure. |
| |white sugar (HS 1701.99.10). |of 4 March 2009. | |
|Kyrgyz Rep. |Initiation of safeguard investigation on imports of |WTO Document G/SG/N/6/KGZ/2 |Provisional measure imposed on |
| |wheat flour (HS 1101.00.110; 1101.00.150). |of 26 May 2009. |11 June 2009. |
|Lebanon |Import ban of pigs and pork from countries with |Global Public Health | |
| |A(H1N1) Flu confirmed cases. |Intelligence Network (GPHIN).| |
|Former Yugoslav |Import ban of live pigs from: Mexico, the United |Global Public Health | |
|Republic of |States, and countries with A(H1N1) Flu confirmed |Intelligence Network (GPHIN).| |
|Macedonia |cases. | | |
|Malaysia |Import ban of pork products from countries with |Permanent Delegation of |The ban was lifted on 4 June |
| |A(H1N1) Flu confirmed cases. |Malaysia to the WTO. |2009. |
|Malaysia |Elimination of the current 10% import duty on cement. |Permanent Delegation of | |
| | |Malaysia to the WTO | |
| |Liberalization of imports of iron and steel products. |(14 November 2008). | |
| | | | |
| |Elimination of import licences for the construction | | |
| |and manufacturing sector. | | |
|Malaysia |Liberalization of services sectors including the |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |relaxation of foreign equity limits, by removing the |Malaysia to the WTO (22 April| |
| |30% "Bumiputra" equity ownership on 27 services |2009). | |
| |sub-sectors (in areas such as health and social; | | |
| |tourism; transport; business; computer and related | | |
| |activities; and sporting). | | |
|Mexico |Anti-dumping duties on imports of door knob locks (HS |WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/MEX |Terminated on 15 October 2008. |
| |8301.40.01) from China (29 January 2007). |of 4 March 2009. | |
|Mexico |Anti-dumping duties on imports of footwear and parts |WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/MEX |Terminated on 15 October 2008. |
| |thereof (HS 6401-6405) from China (19 June 2007). |of 4 March 2009. | |
|Annex 1 (cont'd) |
|Mexico |Anti-dumping duties on imports of pocket lighters, |WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/MEX |Terminated on 15 October 2008. |
| |gas-fuelled, non-refillable (HS 9613.10.01) from China|of 4 March 2009. | |
| |(20 August 2007). | | |
|Mexico |Anti-dumping duties on imports of pencils |WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/MEX |Terminated on 15 October 2008. |
| |(HS 9609.10.01) from China (20 August 2007). |of 4 March 2009. | |
|Mexico |Anti-dumping duties on imports of baby carriages (HS |WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/MEX |Terminated on 15 October 2008. |
| |8715.99.01) from China and Chinese Taipei (21 August |of 4 March 2009. | |
| |2007). | | |
|Mexico |Anti-dumping duties on imports of iron and steel |WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/MEX |Terminated on 15 October 2008. |
| |valves (HS 8481) from China (21 August 2007). |of 4 March 2009. | |
|Mexico |Anti-dumping duties on imports of candles (HS |WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/MEX |Terminated on 15 October 2008. |
| |3406.00.01) from China (5 September 2007). |of 4 March 2009. | |
|Mexico |Anti-dumping duties on imports of tools (HS 8201; |WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/MEX |Terminated on 15 October 2008. |
| |8203; 8204; 8205; 8206) from China (24 September |of 4 March 2009. | |
| |2007). | | |
|Mexico |Anti-dumping duties on imports of bicycles (HS 8712) |WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/MEX |Terminated on 15 October 2008. |
| |from China (18 October 2007). |of 4 March 2009. | |
|Mexico |Anti-dumping duties on imports of brass and bronze |WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/MEX |Terminated on 15 October 2008. |
| |padlocks (HS 8301.10.01) from China (21 November |of 4 March 2009. | |
| |2007). | | |
|Mexico |Anti-dumping duties on imports of organic chemicals |WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/MEX |Terminated on 15 October 2008. |
| |(HS 2915-2941) from China (26 November 2007). |of 4 March 2009. | |
|Mexico |Anti-dumping duties on imports of electrical machinery|WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/MEX |Terminated on 15 October 2008. |
| |and equipment and parts thereof (HS 8501; 8504; 8508; |of 4 March 2009. | |
| |8509; 8515; 8516; 8532) from China (3 December 2007). | | |
|Mexico |Anti-dumping duties on imports of yarn and woven |WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/MEX |Terminated on 15 October 2008. |
| |fabrics (HS 3005; 5204-5212; 5309; 5310; 5401; 5402; |of 4 March 2009. | |
| |5404; 5407; 5408; 5506; 5508-5516; 5803; 5911) from | | |
| |China (3 December 2007). | | |
|Mexico |Anti-dumping duties on imports of Christmas toys and |WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/MEX |Terminated on 15 October 2008. |
| |trees (HS 9503; 9504; 9505) from China (5 December |of 4 March 2009. | |
| |2007). | | |
|Mexico |Anti-dumping duties on imports of articles of apparel |WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/MEX |Terminated on 15 October 2008. |
| |and other made-up textile articles (HS 6101-6117; |of 4 March 2009. | |
| |6201-6217; 6301-6310) from China (5 December 2007). | | |
|Mexico |Tariff reductions on 97% of manufactured goods. This |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |reduction will take place in five annual phases. In |Mexico to the WTO (12 March | |
| |2013, the average applied tariff should be reduced to |2009). | |
| |4.3% from 10.4% (December 2008). 63% of the tariff | | |
| |lines should be duty-free by then. | | |
|Mexico |Suspension of preferential tariff treatment, arising |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |from NAFTA, on 89 tariff lines of goods originating in|Mexico to the WTO (19 March | |
| |the United States. |2009). | |
|Mexico |Imposition of new restrictions on imports of diesel |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |trucks. |Mexico to the WTO (31 March | |
| | |2009). | |
|Mexico |Measures to simplify trade procedures (Paquete de |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |Simplificación Comercial) through the elimination of |Mexico to the WTO (9 April | |
| |tariffs on imports of used parts. |2009). | |
|Mexico |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Permanent Delegation of | |
| |seamless steel tubes (HS 7304.19; 7304.39) from China |Mexico to the WTO | |
| |(5 September 2009). |(4 September 2009). | |
|Annex 1 (cont'd) |
|Mexico |Anti-dumping duties on imports of parathion-methyl (HS|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188 of |Terminated on 25 February 2009.|
| |2920.11.02; 3808.50.01) from Denmark. |13 October 2009. | |
|Mexico |Anti-dumping duties on imports of steel beams from |WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/MEX |Terminated on 30 June 2009. |
| |Brazil (HS 7216.32.01). |of 13 October 2009. | |
|Mexico |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/MEX | |
| |carbon steel nuts (7318.16.03; 7318.16.04) from China |of 13 October 2009. | |
| |(3 February 2009). | | |
|Moldova |Import ban of pork and pork meat products from Canada |Global Public Health |The ban on imports from Canada |
| |(A(H1N1) Flu related). |Intelligence Network (GPHIN).|was lifted. |
| |Ban on transit of live animals from countries with | | |
| |A(H1N1) Flu confirmed cases. | | |
|Mongolia |Increase of import tariffs on eggs and potatoes (from |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |5% to 15%), as from 13 March 2009. |Mongolia to the WTO, and | |
| | |Parliament Resolution No. 26 | |
| | |of 12 March 2009. | |
|Montenegro |Import ban of pork from: North America, and countries |Global Public Health | |
| |with A(H1N1) Flu confirmed cases. |Intelligence Network (GPHIN).| |
|Morocco |Import ban of pork products from any country with |Global Public Health | |
| |A(H1N1) Flu confirmed cases. |Intelligence Network (GPHIN).| |
|Morocco |Initiation of safeguard investigation on imports of |WTO Document G/SG/N/6/MAR/4 | |
| |ceramic tiles, flags and paving (HS 6908) (3 November |of 10 December 2008. | |
| |2008). | | |
|Morocco |Initiation of safeguard investigation on imports of |WTO Document G/SG/N/6/MAR/5 | |
| |PVC (HS 3904) (10 August 2009). |of 31 August 2009. | |
|Pakistan |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/PAK |Terminated without measure on 7|
| |soap noodles (HS 3401.2000) from Malaysia (18 November|of 27 January 2009. |February 2009. |
| |2008). | | |
|Pakistan |Anti-dumping duties on imports of glacial acetic acid |WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/PAK |Terminated on 25 February 2009.|
| |from Chinese Taipei. |(forthcoming). | |
|Pakistan |Anti-dumping duties on imports of ceramic tiles |WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/PAK |Terminated on 14 March 2009. |
| |(HS 6907; 6908) from China (24 September 2008). |(forthcoming). | |
|Pakistan |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/PAK | |
| |secondary quality tinplate from Belgium, France, |(forthcoming). | |
| |Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States | | |
| |(16 January 2009). | | |
|Pakistan |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/PAK | |
| |phthalic anhydride from Brazil, China, Indonesia, |(forthcoming). | |
| |Korea, and Chinese Taipei (25 May 2009). | | |
|Pakistan |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/PAK | |
| |grey back paper board (HS 4810) from China, Indonesia,|(forthcoming). | |
| |Korea, and Chine Taipei (26 June 2009). | | |
|Paraguay |Anti-crisis programme including the "Buy Paraguayan" |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |plan, which establishes a 70% preferential margin for |Paraguay to the WTO (February| |
| |domestic firms in government procurement. |2009). | |
|Peru |Initiation of safeguard investigation on imports of |WTO Document G/SG/N/6/PER/2 |Terminated without measure on |
| |cotton yarn. |of 25 March 2009. |17 August 2009. |
|Peru |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Permanent Delegation of Peru | |
| |biodiesel from the United States. |to the WTO (12 July 2009). | |
|Annex 1 (cont'd) |
|Peru |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Permanent Delegation of Peru | |
| |olive oil from Spain and Italy. |to the WTO (12 July 2009). | |
|Peru |Initiation of countervailing investigation on imports |Permanent Delegation of Peru | |
| |of biodiesel from the United States. |to the WTO (26 August 2009). | |
|Peru |Anti-dumping duties on imports of iron hinges from |WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/PER |Terminated on 12 May 2009. |
| |China. |of 2 October 2009. | |
|Peru |Anti-dumping duties on imports of denim fabrics (HS |WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/PER |Terminated on 7 June 2009. |
| |5209.42; 5211.42) from Brazil (2 July 2008). |of 2 October 2009. | |
|Peru |Anti-dumping duties on imports of gypsum board from |WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/PER |Terminated on 17 June 2009. |
| |Chile. |of 2 October 2009. | |
|Peru |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/PER | |
| |plain weave fabrics, unbleached, bleached or dyed (HS |of 2 October 2009. | |
| |5208; 5210; 5512; 5513) from China (11 February 2009).| | |
|Philippines |Tariff reduction on wheat; meslin; cement; and cement |Permanent Delegation of the |The period was extended for |
| |clinker to 0% for a period of six months, effective |Philippines to the WTO (7 |another six months on 10 July |
| |from 22 December 2008. |November 2008). |2009, except for feed wheat (HS|
| | | |1001.90.99). |
|Philippines |Reduction and elimination of certain import tariffs on|Permanent Delegation of the | |
| |selected products (raw material inputs and consumer |Philippines to the WTO (6 May| |
| |products which are not locally available), under |2009). | |
| |Presidential Executive Order No. 790. | | |
|Russian Federation|Import ban of all meat and meat products from: Mexico,|WHO, Global Public Health |Some of the bans imposed at the|
| |one province of Canada, four US states, and 24 Central|Intelligence Network (GPHIN),|end of April 2009 have been |
| |American and Caribbean countries (A(H1N1) Flu |and Official website of |lifted on imports coming from |
| |related). |Rosselkhoznadzor |different countries and states,|
| |Import ban of pig meat and live pigs from: one |(). |on a case by case basis. |
| |province of Canada, seven US states, and the United | | |
| |Kingdom (A(H1N1) Flu related). | | |
|Russian Federation|Increase of export duties on copper (from 0 to 10%) |Permanent Delegation of the |Decision taken on a permanent |
| |(HS 7403). |Russian Federation. |basis. |
|Russian Federation|Reduction of meat tariff quotas and increase of |Permanent Delegation of the | |
| |non-quota rates for pork (from 50% to 75%) and poultry|Russian Federation | |
| |(from 60% to 80%), (measure announced in November |(1 November 2008). | |
| |2007, but effective as from 1 January 2009). | | |
|Russian Federation|Elimination of import tariffs on certain types of |Permanent Delegation of the |Decision taken on a permanent |
| |engines and major components for certain types of |Russian Federation |basis. |
| |vehicles. |(6 November 2008). | |
|Russian Federation|Elimination of import tariffs on certain types of |Permanent Delegation of the |Decision taken on a permanent |
| |civil aircraft (below 50 passengers capacity and more |Russian Federation |basis. |
| |than 300). |(6 November 2008). | |
|Russian Federation|Elimination of import tariffs on ferrous scrap. |Permanent Delegation of the |Measure extended for nine |
| | |Russian Federation |months on 14 October 2009. |
| | |(6 November 2008). | |
|Russian Federation|Increase of import tariffs on butter and certain types|Permanent Delegation of the |Effective until 6 December |
| |of dairy products (by €0.13 up to €0.35/kg (US$0.19- |Russian Federation |2009. |
| |US$0.5)); and milk and dairy cream (by 5% up to 20%); |(6 November 2008). | |
| |for nine months. | | |
|Russian Federation|Increase of import tariffs on cars (by 5% up to 30%); |Permanent Delegation of the |Effective until 12 July 2010. |
| |trucks (by 10%-20% up to 25%); buses (by 5%-15% up to |Russian Federation | |
| |25%), for nine months |(6 November 2008). | |
|Russian Federation|Provisions granting preferences for local suppliers in|Permanent Delegation of the | |
| |government procurement. |Russian Federation (December | |
| | |2008). | |
|Annex 1 (cont'd) |
|Russian Federation|Elimination of import tariffs on unalloyed nickel and |Permanent Delegation of the |Decision taken on a permanent |
| |copper cathode. |Russian Federation |basis. |
| | |(24 December 2008). | |
|Russian Federation|Increase of import tariffs (from 5% to 15%) on wheat |Permanent Delegation of the |Effective until 14 November |
| |and silo harvesters, for nine months. |Russian Federation (9 January|2009. |
| | |2009). | |
|Russian Federation|Increase of import tariffs (from 0% to 5%) on soy oil |Permanent Delegation of the |Effective until 6 December |
| |meal, for nine months. |Russian Federation |2009. |
| | |(31 January 2009). | |
|Russian Federation|Increase of import tariffs on rice and milling |Permanent Delegation of the |Measure expired on 15 May 2009.|
| |products for nine months. |Russian Federation | |
| | |(15 February 2008). | |
|Russian Federation|Specific import tariffs (€4.4/cm3 (US$6.5/cm3)) on |Permanent Delegation of the |Effective until 4 January 2010.|
| |combine harvesters and motor vehicles of special |Russian Federation | |
| |purpose, for nine months. |(26 February 2009). | |
|Russian Federation|Elimination of import tariffs on polyester thread. |Permanent Delegation of the |Decision taken on a permanent |
| | |Russian Federation (10 March |basis. |
| | |2009). | |
|Russian Federation|Elimination of import tariffs on raw materials used in|Permanent Delegation of the |Decision taken on a permanent |
| |the production of rims for glasses. |Russian Federation (31 March |basis. |
| | |2009). | |
|Russian Federation|Increase of import tariffs on certain types of flat TV|Permanent Delegation of the |Effective until 7 February |
| |panels (from 10% to 15%), for nine months. |Russian Federation (31 March |2010. |
| | |2009). | |
|Russian Federation|Restriction on customs clearance points for exports of|Permanent Delegation of the |Measure abolished. |
| |metal scrap. |Russian Federation (April | |
| | |2009). | |
|Russian Federation|Increase of import tariffs (from 5% to 15%) on steel |Permanent Delegation of the |Effective until 7 February |
| |bars and rods (HS 7213). |Russian Federation (3 April |2010. |
| | |2009). | |
|Russian Federation|Elimination of import tariffs on copper waste and |Permanent Delegation of the |Effective until 7 February |
| |scrap (HS 7404), for nine months. |Russian Federation (3 April |2010. |
| | |2009). | |
|Russian Federation|Elimination of import tariffs on components used for |Permanent Delegation of the |Measure expired on 28 October |
| |the production of rims for glasses, for six months. |Russian Federation (15 April |2009. |
| | |2009). | |
|Russian Federation|Elimination of import tariffs on certain types of |Permanent Delegation of the |Effective until 15 January |
| |digital ships, for nine months. |Russian Federation (15 April |2010. |
| | |2009). | |
|Russian Federation|Elimination of import tariffs on child safety seats; |Permanent Delegation of the |Effective until 27 January |
| |for nine months. |Russian Federation (15 April |2010. |
| | |2009). | |
|Russian Federation|Increase of import tariffs on corn starch and manioc |Permanent Delegation of the |Effective until 21 February |
| |starch (from €0.06/kg to €0.15/kg (US$0.1 to |Russian Federation (15 April |2010. |
| |US$0.2/kg)), for nine months. |2009). | |
|Russian Federation|Elimination of import tariffs on chicken and certain |Permanent Delegation of the |Decision taken on a permanent |
| |types of fertile eggs. |Russian Federation (20 April |basis. |
| | |2009). | |
|Russian Federation|Extension of import duty-free access for linear low |Permanent Delegation of the |Effective until 20 January |
| |density polyethylene, for nine months. |Russian Federation (20 April |2010. |
| | |2009). | |
|Russian Federation|Increase of minimum range of import tariffs on cane |Permanent Delegation of the |Effective until 31 December |
| |raw sugar (from US$140 to US$165/tonne), for eight |Russian Federation (1 May |2009. |
| |months. Maximum rate of import tariff on cane sugar |2009). | |
| |remains unchanged. | | |
|Russian Federation|Increase of import tariffs on asynchronous electric |Permanent Delegation of the |Effective until 3 February |
| |motors (15%), for nine months. |Russian Federation (3 May |2010. |
| | |2009). | |
|Annex 1 (cont'd) |
|Russian Federation|Specific import tariffs (€0.35/kg (US$0.5/kg)) on |Permanent Delegation of the |Effective until 23 April 2010. |
| |"other plates", sheets, film, foil, strip of plastic, |Russian Federation (15 June | |
| |for nine months, on top of the 10% applied tariff. |2009). | |
|Russian Federation|Specific import tariffs (€0.07/kg (US$0.1/kg)) on |Permanent Delegation of the |Effective until 23 April 2010. |
| |pentaerythritol, on top of the 5% applied tariff for |Russian Federation (15 June | |
| |nine months. |2009). | |
|Russian Federation|Elimination of import tariffs on certain chemical |Permanent Delegation of the |Decision made on a permanent |
| |products used in leather-shoe industry; and sheets for|Russian Federation (25 June |basis. |
| |veneering of furniture made of topical wood. |2009). | |
|Russian Federation|Increase on import tariffs (from 0 to 5%, and from 5% |Permanent Delegation of the |Effective until 4 June 2010. |
| |to 10%) on certain laundry equipment, for nine months.|Russian Federation (30 July | |
| | |2009). | |
|Russian Federation|Specific import tariffs (€5,000/unit (US$7,400/unit)) |Permanent Delegation of the | |
| |on bodies of motor vehicles, on top of the 15% applied|Russian Federation (14 August| |
| |tariff. |2009). | |
|Russian Federation|Elimination of import tariffs (previously 15%-20%) on |Permanent Delegation of the |Decision taken on a permanent |
| |certain components of civil aircraft and flight |Russian Federation (20 August|basis. |
| |simulators. |2009). | |
|Russian Federation|Specific import tariffs (€0.5/kg (US$0.7/kg)) on |Permanent Delegation of the |Effective until 25 March 2010. |
| |cheese, on top of the 15% applied tariff. |Russian Federation (20 August| |
| | |2009). | |
|Russian Federation|Extension of duty-free access for TV plasma screens. |Permanent Delegation of the |Effective until 29 May 2010. |
| | |Russian Federation (20 August| |
| | |2009). | |
|Russian Federation|Elimination of import tariffs (previously 5%) on |Permanent Delegation of the |Decision taken on a permanent |
| |certain medical equipments. |Russian Federation (21 August|basis. |
| | |2009). | |
|Russian Federation|Elimination of import tariffs (previously 5%) on |Permanent Delegation of the |Decision taken on a permanent |
| |ceramic header for the production of catalysts. |Russian Federation (28 August|basis. |
| | |2009). | |
|Russian Federation|Extension of duty-free access for certain metal |Permanent Delegation of the |Effective until 8 July 2010. |
| |processing equipments (HS 8455 22), for nine months. |Russian Federation (8 | |
| | |September 2009). | |
|Russian Federation|Specific import tariffs (€0.07/kg (US$0.1/kg)) on top |Permanent Delegation of the |Effective until 18 July 2010. |
| |of current import duty on caustic soda. |Russian Federation (13 | |
| | |September 2009). | |
|Russian Federation|Increase of import tariffs (from 0% to 5%) on water |Permanent Delegation of the |Effective until 22 July 2010. |
| |boilers, internal combustion engines, air and vacuum |Russian Federation (15 | |
| |pumps, for nine months. |September 2009). | |
|Russian Federation|Increase of import tariffs (from 0% to 10%) on certain|Permanent Delegation of the |Effective until 2 August 2010. |
| |type of pumps. |Russian Federation (28 | |
| | |September 2009). | |
|Russian Federation|New import tariffs on polyvinylchloride (15%), but not|Permanent Delegation of the |Effective until 18 July 2010. |
| |less than €0.12/kg (US$0.18/kg), for nine months. |Russian Federation (18 | |
| | |October 2009). | |
|Russian Federation|Increase of import tariffs on snowmobiles (from 5% to |Permanent Delegation of the |Effective until 18 July 2010. |
| |10%), for nine months. |Russian Federation (18 | |
| | |October 2009). | |
|Russian Federation|Reduction on import tariffs (from 20% to 15%) on |Permanent Delegation of the |Effective as from 2 November |
| |certain types of corrosion-resistant pipes. |Russian Federation. |2009. |
|Russian Federation|Increase of export duty (from 5% to 20%) on certain |Permanent Delegation of the |Effective as from 8 November |
| |magnesium scrap, but not less than €138/tonne |Russian Federation. |2009. |
| |(US$204/tonne). | | |
|Russian Federation|Decrease of import tariffs on stamping machines with |Permanent Delegation of the | |
| |programmed numerical control (from 10% to duty-free). |Russian Federation (13 | |
| | |December 2009). | |
|Saint Lucia |Import ban of raw pork meat and animals from the |Global Public Health | |
| |United States (A(H1N1) Flu related). |Intelligence Network (GPHIN).| |
|Annex 1 (cont'd) |
|Serbia |Import ban (and transit) of pigs and pork products |Permanent Delegation of |The ban for imports coming from|
| |originating from North and Latin America (A(H1N1) Flu |Serbia to the UN Office in |the United States was lifted on|
| |related). |Geneva. |2 June 2009. |
|South Africa |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Permanent Delegation of South| |
| |staple polyester fibre (HS 5503.20) from China (23 |Africa to the WTO (23 January| |
| |January 2009). |2009). | |
|South Africa |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Permanent Delegation of South| |
| |tall oil fatty acid (HS 3823.13) from the United |Africa to the WTO (29 May | |
| |States (29 May 2009). |2009). | |
|South Africa |Reduction of import tariffs (many to duty-free) on 235|Permanent Delegation of South| |
| |tariff lines covering products such as textiles (12 |Africa to the WTO (1 October | |
| |June 2009), garments (10 July 2009), aluminium |2009). | |
| |products (24 July 2009), and chemicals, machinery and | | |
| |parts (14 August 2009). | | |
|South Africa |Increase of import tariffs to their bound level on 121|Permanent Delegation of South| |
| |clothing tariff lines from 40% to 45%, and on 3 |Africa to the WTO (9 October | |
| |hosiery lines from 20% to 45%. |2009). | |
|South Africa |Anti-dumping duties on imports of suspension PVC (HS |WTO Document |Terminated on 8 May 2009. |
| |3904.10) from Brazil, France, United Kingdom and the |G/ADP/N/188/ZAF/Rev.1 of 9 | |
| |United States. |October 2009. | |
|South Africa |Anti-dumping duties on imports of uncoated wood-free |WTO Document |Terminated on 8 May 2009. |
| |paper (HS 4802.5) from Brazil and Poland. |G/ADP/N/188/ZAF/Rev.1 of 9 | |
| | |October 2009. | |
|South Africa |Anti-dumping duties on imports of aluminium hollowware|WTO Document |Terminated on 8 May 2009. |
| |(HS 7615.19) from China and Egypt. |G/ADP/N/188/ZAF/Rev.1 of 9 | |
| | |October 2009. | |
|South Africa |Anti-dumping duties on imports of carbon black (HS |WTO Document |Terminated on 8 May 2009. |
| |28.03) from Egypt and India. |G/ADP/N/188/ZAF/Rev.1 of 9 | |
| | |October 2009. | |
|South Africa |Anti-dumping duties on imports of welded galvanized |WTO Document |Terminated on 8 May 2009. |
| |steel pipe (HS 7306.30) from India. |G/ADP/N/188/ZAF/Rev.1 of 9 | |
| | |October 2009. | |
|South Africa |Anti-dumping duties on imports of garden picks (HS |WTO Document |Terminated on 8 May 2009. |
| |8201.30) from India. |G/ADP/N/188/ZAF/Rev.1 of 9 | |
| | |October 2009. | |
|South Africa |Anti-dumping duties on imports of automatic circuit |WTO Document |Terminated on 12 June 2009. |
| |breakers (HS 8536.20) from France and Italy. |G/ADP/N/188/ZAF/Rev.1 of 9 | |
| | |October 2009. | |
|Sudan |Import ban of pork products from any country with |Global Public Health | |
| |A(H1N1) Flu confirmed cases. |Intelligence Network (GPHIN).| |
|Suriname |Import ban of live animals, animal product, and raw |Global Public Health |The ban for imports coming from|
| |pork, from any country with A(H1N1) Flu confirmed |Intelligence Network (GPHIN).|Mexico was lifted on 14 May |
| |cases. | |2009. |
|Switzerland |Temporary reintroduction of export refunds for cream. |Permanent Delegation of |As from January 2009 until at |
| | |Switzerland to the WTO, and |the latest December 2009. |
| | |Federal Law of Agriculture | |
| | |(Art. No. 13). | |
|Switzerland |Elimination of milk quota system, as from 1 May 2009 |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |(Federal Law of Agriculture, Art. No. 36a). |Switzerland to the WTO (1 May| |
| | |2009). | |
|Tajikistan |Import ban of pork and poultry from: El Salvador, |Global Public Health | |
| |Mexico, Russia, and certain US states (A(H1N1) Flu |Intelligence Network (GPHIN).| |
| |related). | | |
|Annex 1 (cont'd) |
|Chinese Taipei |Schools and colleges encouraged to buy local products.|Press reports, clarified by | |
| |Local labour and local products to be given priority |the Permanent Delegation of | |
| |in construction projects. However, any offsets and |Chinese Taipei to the WTO. | |
| |price preference measures shall not apply to | | |
| |GPA-covered procurements. | | |
|Thailand |Import ban of live pigs from countries with A(H1N1) |Permanent Delegation of |The ban was lifted on 20 May |
| |Flu confirmed cases. |Thailand to the WTO (27 April|2009. |
| | |2009). | |
|Thailand |Anti-dumping duties on imports of flat cold-rolled |WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/THA |Terminated on 19 March 2009. |
| |stainless steel (HS 7219; 7220) from the EC (12 March |of 18 August 2009. | |
| |2008). | | |
|Tunisia |Reduction of certain customs duties under economic |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |stimulus plan. |Tunisia. | |
|Turkey |Increase of import tariffs on a number of products |Permanent Delegation of |The tariffs for hot and cold |
| |such as iron-steel – hot rolled flat products (from 5%|Turkey to the WTO (31 |rolled steel flat were reduced |
| |to 13%); iron-steel cold rolled flat products (from 6%|December 2008). |to 9% and 10% respectively on |
| |to 14%); iron-steel- coated flat products (from | |18 September 2009. |
| |3.4%-14% to 6%-15%); and dried apricots, prunes, | | |
| |apples (from 41% to 43.2%). | | |
|Turkey |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Permanent Delegation of |Definitive measure imposed for |
| |knives for food processors (8208.30) from China and |Turkey to the WTO (15 January|imports from China on 18 June |
| |Hong Kong, China (15 January 2009). |2009). |2009. |
|Turkey |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/TUR | |
| |glass lid/cover from Hong Kong, China and Indonesia |of 5 March 2009. | |
| |(17 December 2008). | | |
|Turkey |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/TUR | |
| |mono ethylene glycol (MEG) from Bulgaria, Kuwait and |of 5 March 2009. | |
| |Saudi Arabia (26 December 2008). | | |
|Turkey |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Permanent Delegation of | |
| |pipe fittings (7307.91; 7307.93) from China (18 April |Turkey to the WTO (18 April | |
| |2009). |2009). | |
|Turkey |Initiation of safeguard investigation on imports of |WTO Document G/SG/N/6/TUR/15 |Provisional measure imposed. |
| |matches (HS 36.04; 36.05) (2 May 2009). |of 6 May 2009. | |
|Turkey |Increase of import tariffs (from 80% to 130%) for 13 |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |tariff lines (wheat, melsin, rye, oat, buckwheat). |Turkey to the WTO (15 May | |
| | |2009). | |
|Turkey |Initiation of anti-dumping investigations on imports |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |of certain made up textiles and fabrics made of |Turkey to the WTO (25 July | |
| |artificial synthetics fibres (HS 5407; 5810; 6005; |2009). | |
| |6006; 6303) from China (25 July 2009). | | |
|Turkey |Initiation of anti-dumping investigations on imports |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |of articulated link chain and parts thereof (HS 7315) |Turkey to the WTO (25 July | |
| |from China (25 July 2009). |2009). | |
|Turkey |Initiation of anti-dumping investigations on imports |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |of fan coil (HS 8415.83.00.90.00) from China (25 July |Turkey to the WTO (25 July | |
| |2009). |2009). | |
|Turkey |Increase of import tariffs (from 3% to 10-15%) for |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |certain ethyl alcohol products. |Turkey to the WTO | |
| | |(18 September 2009). | |
|Turkey |Initiation of anti-dumping investigations on imports |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |of woven fabrics of synthetic yarn fibre from |Turkey to the WTO (28 October| |
| |Malaysia. |2009). | |
|Ukraine |Import ban of live pigs and pork meat from: Canada, |Global Public Health |The ban for imports from Canada|
| |Mexico, New Zealand and the United States (A(H1N1) Flu|Intelligence Network (GPHIN).|was lifted. |
| |related). | | |
|Annex 1 (cont'd) |
|Ukraine |New legislation (established on 18 December 2008) |Permanent Delegation of |Measure abolished on 14 July |
| |restricting access of foreign companies to government |Ukraine to the WTO |2009. |
| |procurement (except for goods which are not produced |(18 December 2008). | |
| |locally). Measure to be in force until 31 December | | |
| |2010. | | |
|Ukraine |Import duty surcharges up to 13%, except for "critical|Notification to the WTO |Import surcharges for all the |
| |imports" for a term of up to six months, with a view |(WT/BOP/N/66 of 9 March 2009)|products, except refrigerators |
| |to restore balance-of-payments (Article XII of GATT | |and motor vehicles were |
| |1994). |Law No. 923-VI. |eliminated in May 2009. Import |
| | |WTO Document WT/BOP/N/68 of |surcharges on refrigerators and|
| | |18 May 2009. |motor vehicles were eliminated |
| | | |as of 7 September 2009. |
|Ukraine |Initiation of safeguard investigation on imports of |WTO Document G/SG/N/6/UKR/3 | |
| |liquid chlorine (HS 28.0110.0000). |of 26 March 2009. | |
|Ukraine |Initiation of safeguard investigation on imports of |WTO Document G/SG/N/6/UKR/4 | |
| |sheet glass thermally polished (float glass) (HS |of 4 September 2009. | |
| |7005.29.35). | | |
|Ukraine |Anti-dumping duties on imports of citric acid from |WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/UKR |Terminated without review on 8 |
| |China (HS 2918.14). |of 7 October 2009. |April 2009. |
|Ukraine |Anti-dumping duties on imports of fireboard from |WTO Document G/SG/N/188/UKR |Terminated without review on 8 |
| |Poland (HS 4411). |of 7 October 2009. |April 2009. |
|Ukraine |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/UKR | |
| |halves and quarters of domestic hens, as well as legs |of 7 October 2009. | |
| |and their parts (HS 0207.14.20.00; 0207.14.60.00), | | |
| |from Brazil and the United States (17 March 2009). | | |
|United Arab |Import ban of pigs and pork products from countries |Permanent Delegation of the |The ban was lifted on 7 May |
|Emirates |with A(H1N1) Flu confirmed cases. |UAE to the WTO (26 April |2009. |
| | |2009). | |
|United States |Initiation of countervailing duty investigation on |WTO Document G/SCM/N/195/USA | |
| |imports of ni-resist piston inserts (HS 8409.99) from |of 18 September 2009. | |
| |Argentina and Korea (23 February 2009). | | |
|United States |Initiation of countervailing duty investigation on |WTO Document G/SCM/N/195/USA |Provisional measure imposed on |
| |commodity matchbooks (HS 3605.00) from India (24 |of 18 September 2009. |6 April 2009. |
| |November 2008). | | |
|United States |Anti-dumping duties on imports of high and ultra-high |WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/USA |Terminated on 30 December 2008.|
| |voltage ceramic station post insulators from Japan. |of 11 March 2009. | |
|United States |Omnibus Appropriations Act 2009 (H.R. 1105) which |Permanent Delegation of the | |
| |cancels funding for a test programme by the US |United States to the WTO (11 | |
| |Department of Transportation which allowed cross |March 2009). | |
| |border trucking services with Mexico. | | |
|Annex 1 (cont'd) |
|United States |Interim rule amending the Federal Acquisition |Rules and Regulations | |
| |Regulation to implement the "Buy American" provision |(Federal Register Nos. 14623 | |
| |in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) |and 14633) (31 March and 23 | |
| |with respect to procurement by the Federal Government.|April 2009). | |
| |Updated Implementing Guidance for ARRA which provides |Rules and Regulations | |
| |information relevant to US States, other sub-federal |(Federal Register Nos. 18449 | |
| |entities, and other entities subject to US obligations|and 18463) of 23 April 2009. | |
| |under international agreements, on the application of | | |
| |the "Buy American" requirement. | | |
| |Both regulations require, in procurement covered by an| | |
| |international agreement, that the "Buy American" | | |
| |requirement not be applied with respect to iron, | | |
| |steel, and manufactured goods of GPA and other trade | | |
| |agreements Parties. | | |
|United States |Initiation of countervailing duty investigation on |Permanent Delegation of the |Preliminary determination in |
| |imports of oil country tubular goods (HS 7304; 7305; |United States to the WTO (8 |September 2009. |
| |7306) from China. |April 2009). | |
|United States |Imposition of import tariffs (10%) on softwood lumber |Federal Register/ Vol. 74, | |
| |from four Canadian Provinces, as a result of an |No. 68 of 10 April 2009 – | |
| |international arbitration tribunal, in the context of |[Docket No. USTR-2009-0011] | |
| |the bilateral Softwood Lumber Agreement. |(15 April 2009). | |
|United States |Allocations for dairy export incentive programme |USDA Release No. 0178.09 (FAS| |
| |(reintroduction of export subsidies, which were not |PR 0081-09) (22 May 2009). | |
| |used since 2003), for skimmed milk powder; cheese; and| | |
| |butter. | | |
|United States |Dairy Export Incentive Programme: extension of dairy |Permanent Delegation of the | |
| |subsidies for another year, as from 30 June 2009. |United States to the WTO (6 | |
| | |July 2009). | |
|United States |Initiation of countervailing duty investigation on |WTO Document G/SCM/N/195/USA |Preliminary determination in |
| |imports of polyethylene carrier bags (HS 3923.21) from|of 17 September 2009. |August 2009. |
| |Viet Nam (27 April 2009). | | |
|United States |Initiation of countervailing duty investigation on |WTO Document G/SCM/N/195/USA |Preliminary determination in |
| |imports of certain prestressed concrete steel wire |of 17 September 2009. |October 2009. |
| |strand (HS 7312.10) from China (23 June 2009). | | |
|United States |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/USA |Preliminary determination in |
| |polyethylene retail carrier bags (HS 3923.21) from |of 18 September 2009. |October 2009. |
| |Indonesia, Chinese Taipei, and Viet Nam (27 April | | |
| |2009). | | |
|United States |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/USA | |
| |oil country tubular goods (HS 7304.29; 7305.20; |of 18 September 2009. | |
| |7306.29) from China (5 May 2009). | | |
|United States |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/USA | |
| |prestressed concrete steel wire strand (HS 7312.10) |of 18 September 2009. | |
| |from China (23 June 2009). | | |
|United States |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/USA | |
| |certain steel grating (HS 7308.90) from China (25 June|of 18 September 2009. | |
| |2009). | | |
|United States |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/USA | |
| |wire decking (HS 7217; 7326; 9403) from China (2 July |of 18 September 2009. | |
| |2009). | | |
|United States |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/USA |Provisional measure imposed on |
| |commodity matchbooks (HS 3605.00) from India (24 |of 18 September 2009. |2 June 2009. |
| |November 2008). | | |
|United States |Anti-dumping duties on imports of certain concrete |WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/USA |Terminated on 5 January 2009. |
| |reinforcing bar from Turkey. |of 18 September 2009. | |
|United States |Anti-dumping duties on imports of gray portland cement|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/USA |Terminated on 6 April 2009. |
| |and clinker from Mexico. |of 18 September 2009. | |
|Annex 1 (cont'd) |
|United States |Anti-dumping duties on imports of certain colour |WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/USA |Terminated on 1 July 2009. |
| |television receivers from China. |of 18 September 2009. | |
|United States |Initiation of safeguard investigation (China specific)|WTO Document |Definitive measures imposed on |
| |on imports of tyres (HS 4011.10; 4011.20) (26 |G/SG/N/16/USA/5/Suppl.1 of 30|26 September 2009, for three |
| |September 2009). |September. |years. |
|United States |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Federal Register: October 27,| |
| |seamless refined cooper pipe and tube (HS |2009 (Volume 74, Number 206) | |
| |7411.10.1030; 7411.10.1090) from China and Mexico (27 |(A-570-964, A-201-838) (27 | |
| |October 2009). |October 2009). | |
|United States |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Permanent Delegation of the | |
| |PC strand from China. |United States to the WTO (2 | |
| | |November 2009). | |
|United States |Initiation of countervailing duty investigation on |Permanent Delegation of the |Preliminary determination in |
| |imports of PC strand from China. |United States to the WTO (2 |October 2009. |
| | |November 2009). | |
|United States |Initiation of countervailing duty investigation on |Permanent Delegation of the | |
| |imports of wire decking (HS 7217; 7326; 9403) from |United States to the WTO (2 | |
| |China (2 July 2009). |November 2009). | |
|United States |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Permanent Delegation of the | |
| |woven electric blankets from China. |United States to the WTO (2 | |
| | |November 2009). | |
|United States |Initiation of countervailing duty investigation on |Permanent Delegation of the | |
| |imports of certain steel grating (HS 7308.90) from |United States to the WTO (2 | |
| |China (25 June 2009). |November 2009). | |
|United States |Initiation of countervailing investigation on imports |Permanent Delegation of the | |
| |of narrow woven ribbons (HS 5606; 5806) from China and|United States to the WTO (2 | |
| |Chinese Taipei. |November 2009). | |
|United States |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Permanent Delegation of the | |
| |narrow woven ribbons (HS 5606; 5806) from China and |United States to the WTO (2 | |
| |Chinese Taipei. |November 2009). | |
|United States |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Permanent Delegation of the | |
| |magnesia carbon bricks (HS 6815; 6902) from China and |United States to the WTO (2 | |
| |Mexico. |November 2009). | |
|United States |Initiation of countervailing investigation on imports |Permanent Delegation of the | |
| |of magnesia carbon bricks (HS 6815; 6902) from China. |United States to the WTO (2 | |
| | |November 2009). | |
|United States |Initiation of countervailing investigation on imports |Permanent Delegation of the | |
| |of seamless carbon and alloy steel standard line and |United States to the WTO (2 | |
| |pressure pipe (HS 7304) from China. |November 2009). | |
|United States |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Permanent Delegation of the | |
| |seamless carbon and alloy steel standard line and |United States to the WTO (2 | |
| |pressure pipe (HS 7304) from China. |November 2009). | |
|United States |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Permanent Delegation of the | |
| |coated paper from China, and Indonesia. |United States to the WTO (2 | |
| | |November 2009). | |
|United States |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Permanent Delegation of the | |
| |steel fasteners from China, and Chinese Taipei. |United States to the WTO (2 | |
| | |November 2009). | |
|United States |Initiation of countervailing investigation on imports |Permanent Delegation of the | |
| |of steel from China. |United States to the WTO (2 | |
| | |November 2009). | |
|Annex 1 (cont'd) |
|United States |Initiation of countervailing investigation on imports |Permanent Delegation of the | |
| |of coated paper from China and Indonesia. |United States to the WTO (2 | |
| | |November 2009). | |
|United States |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Permanent Delegation of the | |
| |sodium and potassium phosphate salts from China. |United States to the WTO (2 | |
| | |November 2009). | |
|United States |Initiation of countervailing investigation on imports |Permanent Delegation of the | |
| |of sodium and potassium phosphate salts from China. |United States to the WTO (2 | |
| | |November 2009). | |
|Uruguay |Amendment of the Law on drawback and temporary |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |admission, granting more flexibility to exporters. |Uruguay to the WTO (8 June | |
| | |2009). | |
|Uzbekistan |Import ban of pork and pork products from several |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |countries with A(H1N1) Flu confirmed cases in North |Uzbekistan to the UN Office | |
| |and South America (21 April 2009). |in Geneva. | |
|Venezuela |Import ban of live pigs from any country with A(H1N1) |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |Flu confirmed cases. |Venezuela to the WTO. | |
|Venezuela |Establishment of import quota for vehicles (up to |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |10,000) originating from Colombia (priority for buses,|Venezuela to the WTO (16 | |
| |taxis and trucks) for the year 2009. |April 2009). | |
|Viet Nam |Increase import tariffs on semi-finished products of |Permanent Delegation of Viet | |
| |iron or non-alloy steel from 2% to 5%; and for bars |Nam to the WTO (9 December | |
| |and rods of iron or non-alloy steel from 5% to 12%. |2008). | |
|Viet Nam |Increase export duties on: sand and stones from 12% to|Permanent Delegation of Viet | |
| |17%; mineral products; and wood coal and wood for |Nam to the WTO (26 December | |
| |materials from 0% to 5% and 10%. |2008). | |
|Viet Nam |Variable import duties for paper products. |Permanent Delegation of Viet | |
| |Import tariffs on newsprint paper and uncoated paper |Nam to the WTO (10 February | |
| |were raised to 29% (up from 20% and 25% respectively).|2009). | |
|Viet Nam |Increase of import tariffs for certain dairy products |Permanent Delegation of Viet | |
| |(excluding powdered milk). |Nam to the WTO (3 March | |
| | |2009). | |
|Viet Nam |Increase of import tariffs on meat and poultry (from |Permanent Delegation of Viet | |
| |17% to 33%), frozen beef (from 17% to 20%) and fresh |Nam to the WTO (17 March | |
| |pork (from 24% to 28%). |2009). | |
|Viet Nam |Increase of import tariffs on steel, such as |Permanent Delegation of Viet | |
| |semi-finished steel products (from 5% to 8%); steel |Nam to the WTO (25 March | |
| |products for construction (from 12% to 15%); cold |2009). | |
| |rolled steel sheets and coils (from 7% to 8%); and | | |
| |coated steel sheets and coils (from 12% to 13%). | | |
|Viet Nam |Increase of import tariffs on alloy steel (long |Permanent Delegation of Viet | |
| |products) from 0% to 10%. |Nam to the WTO (13 April | |
| | |2009). | |
|Viet Nam |Reduction of import tariffs on diesel and kerosene |Permanent Delegation of Viet | |
| |diesel fuel by 5%. |Nam to the WTO (13 April | |
| | |2009). | |
|Viet Nam |Reduction of import tariffs on feed and raw materials |Permanent Delegation of Viet | |
| |used to produce feed (from 7% to zero). |Nam to the WTO (14 April | |
| | |2009). | |
|Viet Nam |Initiation of safeguard investigation on imports of |WTO Document G/SG/N/6/VNM/1 | |
| |float glass (HS 7005.21.90; 7005.29.90). |of 31 July 2009. | |
|Annex 1 (cont'd) |
NON-VERIFIED INFORMATION
|Country/ |Measure |Source/Date |Status (in force unless |
|Member State | | |otherwise indicated) |
|Algeria |Ban on imports of certain pharmaceutical products and |Press reports | |
| |medical devices. |(November and December| |
| | |2008). | |
|Algeria |Ban on imports of refurbished heavy equipment. |Press reports | |
| | |referring to | |
| | |Complementary Finance | |
| | |Law of July 2009. | |
|Algeria |New law adopting measures restricting imports and |Les Echos referring to| |
| |foreign ownership, particularly for service providers |Loi des Finances | |
| |and importers. |Complémentaire pour | |
| | |2009 (Art 69) (7 | |
| | |August 2009). | |
|Argentina |Reported delays in obtaining import licences in a few |Press reports, and | |
| |cases (affecting sectors such as apparel, appliances, |industry sources | |
| |automobiles, electronics, footwear, toys, and tires). |(various dates). | |
|Bangladesh |Export ban lifted for fine rice. |Agra Europe | |
| | |(agra-) (27 | |
| | |July 2009). | |
|Bolivia |Elimination of import tariffs on fresh meat until 30 |Press reports | |
| |April 2010. |(29 October 2009). | |
|Bolivia |New regulation on sugar exports (establishment of a |Press reports | |
| |price band). |(29 October 2009). | |
|Bosnia & |New Customs Law increasing import tariffs on 1,000 |Press reports (19 June| |
|Herzegovina |items. |2009). | |
|China |Export restrictions on rare minerals mainly used in |WTO Reporter | |
| |high-tech products. |(6 October 2009). | |
|Egypt |Elimination of import tariffs on yarn, tin and |Global Insight | |
| |textiles. |(10 April 2009). | |
|Egypt |Elimination of additional tariffs (10%) on imports of |Press reports | |
| |steel. |(18 April 2009). | |
|Egypt |Elimination of a "precautionary fee" of 25%, which was|The Press Trust of | |
| |imposed in January 2009, on imports of cotton yarn, |India Limited | |
| |fabric, and sugar from India. |(23 April 2009). | |
|India |Import license requirement limiting imports to genuine|The Confederation of | |
| |end-user business with back-to-back export orders. |European Business, | |
| | |referring to | |
| | |Notification | |
| | |No. 122/08 of the | |
| | |Ministry of Finance | |
| | |(24 February 2009). | |
|India |Removal of a two-year ban on wheat exports. |Business Standard Ltd | |
| | |(15 May 2009). | |
|India |Extension of import ban on dairy products from China, |The Times of India (1 | |
| |until 24 December 2009. |July 2009). | |
|India |Re-imposition of ban on wheat exports. |The Economic Times (13| |
| | |July 2009). | |
|India |Extension of import duty reimbursement scheme (DEPB) |The Economic Times (21| |
| |until the end of 2009. |July 2009). | |
|Annex 1 (cont'd) |
|Kazakhstan |Amendments of the law on public procurement |EC Commission – Fourth| |
| |introducing preferences for local goods (20%), and for|Report on Potentially | |
| |local services and construction (15%). |Trade Restrictive | |
| | |Measures, referring to| |
| | |Law No. 156-IV (5 May | |
| | |2009). | |
|Kazakhstan |Import limit/quota on sugar (54,423 tonnes), |EC Commission – Fourth| |
| |applicable until 1 April 2010. |Report on Potentially | |
| | |Trade Restrictive | |
| | |Measures (12 August | |
| | |2009). | |
|Mongolia |Elimination of export tax on cashmere. |Press reports (12 June| |
| | |2009). | |
| |Elimination of certain export quality restrictions on | | |
| |cashmere. | | |
| | | | |
| |Increase number of ports (from three to 20) and | | |
| |airports allowed to export cashmere. | | |
|Morocco |Temporary increase of import tariffs (from 50% to |Agra Europe | |
| |135%) on wheat and meslin other than durum wheat, |(Agra-) (8 June| |
| |until 31 December 2009. |2009). | |
|Pakistan |Imposition of export tariffs (15%) on molasses. |EC Commission – Fourth| |
| | |Report on Potentially | |
| | |Trade Restrictive | |
| | |Measures (13 April | |
| | |2009). | |
|Pakistan |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Press reports (31 | |
| |hydrogen peroxide from Belgium, China, Indonesia, |August 2009). | |
| |Korea, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, and Turkey. | | |
|Pakistan |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Press reports (4 | |
| |hot-rolled coil from Belgium, Japan, Russia, Ukraine, |September 2009). | |
| |and the United States. | | |
|Paraguay |Introduction of import licensing requirements covering|EC Commission – Fourth| |
| |products such as poultry meat, clothing, cosmetics, |Report on Potentially | |
| |and hygiene products. |Trade Restrictive | |
| | |Measures (December | |
| | |2008 and February | |
| | |2009). | |
|Paraguay |Increase of import tariffs (10% and 15%) on certain |EC Commission – Fourth| |
| |chemical products. |Report on Potentially | |
| | |Trade Restrictive | |
| | |Measures, referring to| |
| | |Decree No. 1731/09 | |
| | |(27 March 2009). | |
|Saudi Arabia |Reduction of import tariffs on 92 products, as from |Arab News (3 June | |
| |6 June 2009. |2009). | |
|Saudi Arabia |Import ban on used cars, buses and light transport |Press reports (9 June | |
| |older than five years, and heavy trucks older than 10 |2009). | |
| |years, as from December 2009. | | |
|Saudi Arabia |Import ban on equipment used in water desalination. |Press reports (26 July| |
| | |2009). | |
|Annex 1 (cont'd) |
|Switzerland |Increase of the export credit for breeding cattle and |Press reports (23 July| |
| |"productive" livestock (from Sw F 4 million (US$3.9 |2009). | |
| |million) to Sw F 5 million (US$4.9 million)). | | |
|Uruguay |Reduction of import tariffs (18%) for low consumption |Press reports (2 July | |
| |bulbs/lamps. |2009). | |
|Venezuela |Cancellation of import quotas for vehicles originating|Agence France Presse | |
| |from Colombia. |and El Universal (6 | |
| | |August 2009). | |
| |Establishment of import quota for vehicles (up to | | |
| |10,000) originating from Argentina. | | |
|Viet Nam |Introduction of automatic export licensing |EC Commission – Fourth| |
| |requirements on rice and minerals. |Report on Potentially | |
| | |Trade Restrictive | |
| |Introduction of automatic import licensing |Measures | |
| |requirements on certain consumer goods. |(January 2009). | |
|Viet Nam |Reduction of cotton import tariffs. |Press reports | |
| | |(April 2009). | |
|Viet Nam |Implementation of the "Vietnamese use Vietnamese |Asia Pulse Pty Limited| |
| |products" campaign. |(6 October 2009). | |
ANNEX 1(a)
Trade facilitating measures[53]
(October 2008 – October 2009)
|Country/ |Measure |Source/Date |Status (in force unless |
|Member State | | |otherwise indicated) |
|Argentina |Elimination of export taxes (set at 5% in August 2006)|Permanent Delegation of | |
| |for dairy products (35 HS tariff lines - Codes 0401; |Argentina to the WTO (6 March| |
| |0402; 0403; 0404; 0405; 0406; and 1901.90.90), as from|2009). | |
| |1 January 2009. | | |
|Argentina |Anti-dumping duties on imports of cypermethrin (NCM |WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/ARG |Terminated on 23 March 2009. |
| |3808.10) from India (27 April 2006). |of 7 October 2009. | |
|Argentina |Anti-dumping duties on imports of certain polyethylene|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/ARG |Terminated on 22 May 2009. |
| |terephthalate (PET) (NCM 3907.60) from Brazil. |of 7 October 2009. | |
|Armenia |Import ban of animal origin food, raw materials, |Global Public Health |The ban on imports from Canada |
| |feedstuffs, live pigs, pork, pork semen, and feedstuff|Intelligence Network (GPHIN).|was lifted. |
| |and feed additives for pigs prepared from pork from | | |
| |Mexico, Canada and the United States (A(H1N1) Flu | | |
| |related). | | |
|Australia |Gradual reduction of applied tariffs on textiles, |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |clothing, and footwear products until 2015. |Australia to the WTO (March | |
| | |2009). | |
|Australia |Anti-dumping duties on imports of polyethylene, linear|WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/AUS |Terminated on 3 December 2008. |
| |low density (HS 3901.10; 3901.90) from Korea (3 |of 3 March 2009. | |
| |December 2007). | | |
|Australia |Anti-dumping duties on imports of polyethylene, high |WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/AUS |Terminated on 17 December 2008.|
| |density from Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Sweden (18|of 3 March 2009. | |
| |March 2008). | | |
|Australia |Anti-dumping duties on imports of certain hot rolled |Permanent Delegation of |Terminated without review on 1 |
| |plate steel (HS 7208.51; 7208.52) from China, |Australia to the WTO. |April 2009. |
| |Indonesia, Japan and Korea. | | |
|Australia |Countervailing investigation on imports of hollow |Permanent Delegation of |Terminated on 5 June 2009. |
| |structural steel sections from China. |Australia to the WTO. | |
|Australia |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/AUS |Terminated on 20 May 2009. |
| |hollow structural sections (7306.30; 7306.61; 7306.69)|of 30 September 2009. | |
| |from Malaysia (18 December 2008). | | |
|Australia |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/AUS |Terminated on 6 June 2009. |
| |hollow structural sections (7306.30; 7306.61; 7306.69)|of 30 September 2009. | |
| |from China (18 December 2008). | | |
|Azerbaijan |Import ban of pork products from North America |Global Public Health |The ban on imports from Canada |
| |(A(H1N1) Flu related). |Intelligence Network (GPHIN).|was lifted. |
|Bahrain |Import ban of pork products from: Mexico, the United |Global Public Health |The ban was lifted in October |
| |States, and any country with A(H1N1) Flu confirmed |Intelligence Network (GPHIN).|2009. |
| |cases. | | |
|Belarus |Ban on fish imports. |Permanent Delegation of |The ban was lifted on 1 August |
| | |Belarus to the WTO. |2009. |
|Belarus |Import ban of meat, cattle, and poultry feed from: |Permanent Delegation of |The ban was lifted in October |
| |Canada, France, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, |Belarus to the WTO. |2009. |
| |and the United States (A(H1N1) Flu related). | | |
| |As from 7 May 2009 import ban of pigs, pork and pork | | |
| |products from Poland (A(H1N1) Flu related). | | |
|Belarus |Reduction of import tariffs on trucks and road |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |tractors for semi trailers emission class "Euro 4 and |Belarus to the WTO (18 June | |
| |5", for nine months. |2009). | |
|Annex 1(a) (cont'd) |
|Belarus |Elimination of import tariffs on 212 tariff lines |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |(ten-digit) of manufacturing equipment, for nine |Belarus to the WTO (1 July | |
| |months. |2009). | |
|Belarus |Elimination of import tariffs on chemical wood pulp; |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |and high tenacity yarn of nylon or other polyamides, |Belarus to the WTO (1 October| |
| |for nine months. |2009). | |
|Brazil |Anti-dumping duties on imports of steel blade (for |WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/BRA |Terminated on 13 October 2008. |
| |stone cutting) from Italy (9 October 2003). |of 18 February 2009. | |
|Brazil |Anti-dumping duties on imports of mushrooms |WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/BRA |Terminated on 19 December 2008.|
| |provisionally preserved and prepared or preserved from|of 18 February 2009. | |
| |China (18 December 2003). | | |
|Brazil |Anti-dumping duties on imports of bicycle tyres from |WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/BRA |Terminated on 19 December 2008.|
| |Thailand. |of 18 February 2009. | |
|Brazil |Decrease of import tariffs (from 14% to duty-free) on |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |female sheath contraceptives; and trailers and |Brazil to the WTO (18 June | |
| |semi-trailers (from 35% to duty-free). |2009). | |
| |(Included on its national list of exemptions to the | | |
| |Mercosur Common Tariff). | | |
|Brazil |Reduction of import tariffs (from a range of 12-14% |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |down to 2%) on 114 products such as capital goods, |Brazil to the WTO | |
| |informatics, and telecommunication equipments. |(18 September 2009). | |
|Brazil |Anti-dumping duties on imports of horse nail or |WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/BRA |Terminated on 3 June 2009. |
| |horseshoe nail (NCM 7317.00.90) from Finland and India|of 18 September 2009. | |
| |(14 June 2004). | | |
|Brazil |Anti-dumping duties on imports of nitrate of ammonia |WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/BRA |Suspended on 7 November 2008, |
| |(HS 3102.30) from Russia and Ukraine. |of 18 September 2009. |for a period of one year. |
|Brunei Darussalam |Import ban of pork meats from any country with A(H1N1)|Permanent Delegation of |The ban was lifted on 28 May |
| |Flu confirmed cases. |Brunei Darussalam to the WTO.|2009. |
|Canada |Elimination of import tariffs on 214 tariff lines |Permanent Delegation of |Tariffs permanently eliminated |
| |(machinery and equipment), with duty rates ranging |Canada to the WTO (28 January|as of 28 January 2009. |
| |from 2.5% to 11%. |2009). | |
|Canada |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on waterproof|Permanent Delegation of |Terminated on 25 September |
| |footwear (HS 6401; 6402; 6403) from China and Viet Nam|Canada to the WTO |2009. |
| |(27 February 2009). |(27 February 2009). | |
|Canada |Anti-dumping undertaking on imports of filter tipped |Permanent Delegation of |Terminated on 6 April 2009. |
| |cigarettes tubes (HS 4813.10) from France (reviewed on|Canada to the WTO. | |
| |5 January 2009). | | |
|Canada |Renewal of the programme allowing the remission of |Permanent Delegation of |Effective until 4 May 2014. |
| |customs tariffs on the temporary importation of mobile|Canada to the WTO (4 May | |
| |offshore drilling units, for a further five-year |2009). | |
| |period. | | |
|Canada |Anti-dumping duties on imports of wood slats (for |Permanent Delegation of |Terminated on 15 July 2009. |
| |Venetian blinds) (HS 4421.90) from China and Mexico (7|Canada to the WTO. | |
| |November 2008). | | |
|Canada |Anti-dumping duties on imports of stainless steel wire|Permanent Delegation of |Terminated on 29 July 2009. |
| |(HS 7223.00) from India, Korea, Switzerland and the |Canada to the WTO. | |
| |United States (12 November 2008). | | |
|Canada |Countervailing duties on imports of stainless steel |Permanent Delegation of |Terminated on 29 July 2009. |
| |wire (HS 7223.00) from India. |Canada to the WTO. | |
|China |Elimination of export duties on 102 products including|Permanent Delegation of China| |
| |certain steel plates. |to the WTO (1 December 2008).| |
| |Reduction of export duties on 23 products, including | | |
| |for example yellow phosphorous. | | |
|China |Trade facilitating measures to speed up customs |Permanent Delegation of China| |
| |procedures and formalities. |to the WTO (March 2009). | |
|Annex 1(a) (cont'd) |
|China |Anti-dumping duties on imports of newsprint |Permanent Delegation of China|Terminated without review on 30|
| |(HS 4801.00; 4802.61; 4802.69) from Canada, Korea and |to the WTO. |June 2009. |
| |the United States. | | |
|China |Elimination or reduction of export taxes on certain |Permanent Delegation of China| |
| |products such as wheat, rice, metals, fertilizers and |to the WTO (1 July 2009). | |
| |resource materials, as from 1 July 2009. | | |
|China |Administration measures and rules for verification for|Permanent Delegation of China|Abolished as from 1 September |
| |importation of auto parts with the features of |to the WTO (28 August 2009). |2009. |
| |finished automobiles. | | |
|China |Anti-dumping duties on imports of acrylate esters (HS |WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/CHN |Terminated on 8 April 2009. |
| |2916.12) from Korea (9 April 2008). |of 9 September 2009. | |
|China |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/CHN |Terminated without measure on |
| |gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (HS 9027.20; |of 9 September 2009. |20 April 2009. |
| |9027.50; 9027.80) from Japan (5 June 2008). | | |
|Colombia |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/COL |Investigation terminated on 11 |
| |blenders (HS 8509.40) from China (26 February 2009). |of 12 October 2009. |August 2009 (provisional duties|
| | | |reimbursed). |
|Croatia |Import ban of pork products and live hogs from several|Permanent Delegation of |The ban was lifted for all |
| |countries with confirmed cases in North and South |Croatia to the WTO (29 April |countries except Mexico on 8 |
| |America (A(H1N1) Flu related). |2009). |May, and completely eliminated |
| | | |on 19 June 2009. |
|EC |Anti-dumping duties on imports of integrated |Commission Notice 2008/C |Terminated on 18 October 2008. |
| |electronic compact fluorescent lamps (CFL-i) (HS |258/04 (10 October 2008). | |
| |8539.31.90) from China. | | |
|EC |Anti-dumping duties on imports of para-cresol (HS |WTO document G/ADP/N/180/EEC |Terminated on 15 October 2008. |
| |2907.12.00) from China. |of 11 March 2009 | |
|EC |Temporary changes in the set of Commission Sate Aid |Public information available | |
| |guidelines increasing flexibility on short-term export|on the European Commission's | |
| |credits. |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |Various measures to increase access to trade finance |Delegation (17 December | |
| |for European exporters have also taken place at the |2008). | |
| |national level. | | |
|EC |Anti-dumping duties on imports of certain welded tubes|Commission Notice L 343 (17 |Terminated on 19 December 2008.|
| |and pipes of iron or non-alloy steel from |December 2008). | |
| |Bosnia-Herzegovina and Turkey. | | |
|EC |Anti-dumping duties on imports of bed linen (cotton |Commission Notice 2009/C |Terminated on 5 March 2009. |
| |type) (HS 6302) from Pakistan. |52/08 (5 March 2009). | |
|EC |Anti-dumping duties on imports of Rainbow trout (HS |Commission Notice 2009/C |Terminated on 12 March 2009. |
| |0302; 0303; 0304) from Faroe Islands. |57/04 (11 March 2009). | |
|EC |Increase in export refunds for milk and milk products.|Commission Regulations No. |Refunds for milk and milk |
| | |461/2009 of 4 June 2009 (OJ L|products reduced on |
| | |139/15). |17 September and 22 October |
| | | |2009. |
|EC |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Commission Decision |Terminated without measure on |
| |sodium metal (HS 2805.11.00) from the United States |2009/453/EC (11 June 2009). |11 June 2009. |
| |(23 July 2008). | | |
|EC |Initiation of countervailing duty investigation on |Commission Decision |Terminated without measure on |
| |imports of steel sodium metal (HS 2805.11.00) from the|2009/452/EC (11 June 2009). |11 June 2009. |
| |United States (23 July 2008). | | |
|EC |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|Commission Decision 2009/C |Terminated on 9 September 2009.|
| |certain welded tubes, pipes and hollow profiles of |698/EC (4 September 2009). | |
| |square or rectangular cross-section, of iron other | | |
| |than cast iron or steel other than or non-alloy steel | | |
| |(CN 7306 6192; 7306 6199) from Belarus, Turkey, and | | |
| |Ukraine (13 November 2008). | | |
|Annex 1(a) (cont'd) |
|Ecuador |Import ban of live pigs and pork products from Canada |Permanent Delegation of |The ban on imports coming from |
| |and Mexico (A(H1N1) Flu related). |Ecuador to the WTO. |Mexico was lifted on 12 May |
| | | |2009. The ban on imports of |
| | | |pork from Canada was also |
| | | |lifted. |
|Ecuador |Import tariff reductions on 3,267 tariff lines |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |covering products such as: raw materials (from 7.6% to|Ecuador to the WTO (December | |
| |3.8%), and capital equipment (from 6.3% to 2.3%), not |2008). | |
| |locally produced. | | |
|Ecuador |Import tariff elimination for hybrid cars. |Permanent Delegation of | |
| | |Ecuador to the WTO (20 | |
| | |January 2009). | |
|Egypt |Elimination of the export tax on cement on 19 October |Permanent Delegation of Egypt| |
| |2008. |to the WTO (October 2008). | |
|Egypt |Revision of the tariff schedule for a number of |Presidential Decree No. | |
| |products. Tariff decreases for products such as raw |51/2009 of 15 February 2009. | |
| |materials, and intermediate goods. | | |
|Egypt |Elimination of import tariffs on sugar for the period |Permanent Delegation of Egypt| |
| |15 August to 31 December 2009. |to the WTO (August 2009). | |
|Egypt |Anti-dumping duties on imports of primary dry cell |WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/EGY |Terminated without review on 13|
| |batteries 1.5 volts – AA size (R6) from China. |of 30 September 2009. |June 2009. |
|Egypt |Anti-dumping duties on imports of matches in boxes |WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/EGY |Terminated on 10 February 2009.|
| |regular size from Pakistan. |of 30 September 2009. | |
|El Salvador |Temporary import ban (introduced on 25 April) of pork |Permanent Delegation of El |The ban was lifted on 1 May |
| |products from: Canada, Mexico, and the United States |Salvador to the WTO. |2009. |
| |(A(H1N1) Flu related). | | |
|Honduras |Import ban of pork meat from: Canada, Mexico, and the |Permanent Delegation of |The ban was lifted in May 2009.|
| |United States (A(H1N1) Flu related). |Honduras to the WTO. | |
|India |Elimination of export duties on steel products (which |Permanent Delegation of India| |
| |were imposed in May 2008). |to the WTO (31 October 2008).| |
|India |Under fiscal stimulus measures taken by the |Permanent Delegation of India| |
| |Government: elimination of import duties for naphtha |to the WTO (7 December 2008).| |
| |for use in the power sector; reduction of export | | |
| |duties on iron ore fines (from 15% to 5%); and lumps. | | |
|India |Removal of export duty and reduction of minimum export|Permanent Delegation of India| |
| |price for premium Basmati rice. |to the WTO (20 January 2009).| |
|India |Trade facilitation measures such as enlargement of the|Permanent Delegation of India| |
| |list of entities authorized to import directly |to the WTO (26 February | |
| |precious metals; removal of import restrictions on |2009). | |
| |worked corals; and simplification of export licensing | | |
| |requirements for blood samples. | | |
|India |Anti-dumping duties on imports of methylene |WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/IND |Terminated on 14 October 2008. |
| |chloride-II from Korea. |of 18 March 2009. | |
|India |Anti-dumping duties on imports of para hydroxy phenyl |WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/IND |Terminated on 11 November 2008.|
| |glycine methyl potassium dane salt (PHPG-DS) from |of 18 March 2009. | |
| |China and Singapore. | | |
|India |Initiation of safeguard investigation (China specific)|WTO Document G/SG/N/16/IND/5 |Terminated on 6 April 2009. |
| |on imports of nylon tyre cord fabric (HS 5902.10). |of 18 March 2009. | |
|Annex 1(a) (cont'd) |
|India |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/IND |Terminated without measure on |
| |hot rolled products of steel from China, Indonesia, |of 18 March 2009. |11 August 2009. |
| |Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines,| | |
| |Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Thailand,| | |
| |Turkey and Ukraine (28 November 2008). | | |
|India |Imposition of 20% duty on imported soybean oils. |Permanent Delegation of India|Duty removed. |
| | |to the WTO (24 February and | |
| | |24 March 2009), and Customs | |
| | |Notification No. 27/2009. | |
|India |Import duty exemption on pulses (Customs Notification |Permanent Delegation of India| |
| |No. 28/2009). |to the WTO (26 March 2009). | |
|India |Exemption of import tariffs on raw and refined, or |Permanent Delegation of India| |
| |white sugar, under specified conditions. |to the WTO (17 April 2009). | |
|India |Anti-dumping duties on imports of acrylonitrile |WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/IND |Measure terminated on 2 January|
| |butadiene rubber from Germany (31 January 1997). |(forthcoming). |2009. |
|India |Anti-dumping duties on imports of met coke-I from |WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/IND |Measure terminated on |
| |China (6 May 1998). |(forthcoming). |16 January 2009. |
|India |Anti-dumping duties on imports of plastic ophthalmic |WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/IND |Measure terminated on |
| |lenses from China (5 September 2003). |(forthcoming). |12 February 2009. |
|India |Anti-dumping duties on imports of caustic soda-IV from|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/IND |Measure terminated on 13 May |
| |Chinese Taipei (27 March 2003). |(forthcoming). |2009. |
|India |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/IND |Terminated without measure on |
| |penicillin-G from China (3 November 2008). |(forthcoming). |22 May 2009. |
|India |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/IND |Terminated without measure on 5|
| |power steering gear system from China (13 June 2008). |(forthcoming). |June 2009. |
|Indonesia |Reduction of import tariffs on 18 tariff lines. |Permanent Delegation of | |
| | |Indonesia to the WTO | |
| | |(13 February 2009). | |
|Indonesia |Measure to facilitate trade through the implementation|Permanent Delegation of | |
| |of a National Single Window. |Indonesia to the WTO (30 June| |
| | |2009). | |
|Israel |Anti-dumping duties on imports of flexible corner |WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/ISR |Terminated on 7 December 2008. |
| |drywall tape from China. |of 19 March 2009. | |
|Jordan |Initiation of safeguard investigation on imports of |WTO Document G/SG/N/6/JOR/13 |Terminated without measure on |
| |white cement (HS 2523.21). |of 25 November 2008. |19 May 2009. |
|Jordan |Import ban on live swine, their meat and meat products|WTO Documents G/SPS/N/JOR/20 |The ban on imports on swine |
| |(including transit) from countries with A(H1N1) Flu |of 25 May 2009, and |meat and meat products was |
| |confirmed cases. |G/SPS/N/JOR/20/Add.1 of 18 |lifted on 15 July 2009. |
| | |August 2009. | |
|Kazakhstan |Import ban of raw meat from: Mexico and a number of US|Global Public Health |The ban on imports coming from |
| |states (A(H1N1) Flu related). |Intelligence Network (GPHIN).|Mexico was lifted on 12 May |
| | | |2009. |
|Kazakhstan |Reduction of import tariffs on equipment and raw |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |materials that are not locally produced. |Kazakhstan to the UN | |
| | |(28 December 2008). | |
|Annex 1(a) (cont'd) |
|Korea, Rep. of |Temporary import ban of swine from North America. |Permanent Delegation of Korea|The ban for pork imports from |
| |Imports of pork allowed after testing (A(H1N1) Flu |to the WTO. |Canada was lifted. |
| |related). | | |
|Korea, Rep. of |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/KOR |Provisional determination (no |
| |adipic acid (HS 2917.12) from the United States (5 |of 9 October 2009. |injury) on 25 March 2009. |
| |December 2008). | | |
|Kyrgyz Rep. |Initiation of safeguard investigation on imports of |WTO Document G/SG/N/6/KGZ/1 |Terminated without measure. |
| |white sugar (HS 1701.99.10). |of 4 March 2009. | |
|Malaysia |Import ban of pork products from countries with |Permanent Delegation of |The ban was lifted on 4 June |
| |A(H1N1) Flu confirmed cases. |Malaysia to the WTO. |2009. |
|Malaysia |Elimination of the current 10% import duty on cement. |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |Liberalization of imports of iron and steel products. |Malaysia to the WTO | |
| |Elimination of import licences for the construction |(14 November 2008). | |
| |and manufacturing sector. | | |
|Malaysia |Liberalization of services sectors including the |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |relaxation of foreign equity limits, by removing the |Malaysia to the WTO (22 April| |
| |30% "Bumiputra" equity ownership on 27 services |2009). | |
| |sub-sectors (in areas such as health and social; | | |
| |tourism; transport; business; computer and related | | |
| |activities; and sporting). | | |
|Mexico |Anti-dumping duties on imports of door knob locks (HS |WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/MEX |Terminated on 15 October 2008. |
| |8301.40.01) from China (29 January 2007). |of 4 March 2009. | |
|Mexico |Anti-dumping duties on imports of footwear and parts |WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/MEX |Terminated on 15 October 2008. |
| |thereof (HS 6401-6405) from China (19 June 2007). |of 4 March 2009. | |
|Mexico |Anti-dumping duties on imports of pocket lighters, |WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/MEX |Terminated on 15 October 2008. |
| |gas-fuelled, non-refillable (HS 9613.10.01) from China|of 4 March 2009. | |
| |(20 August 2007). | | |
|Mexico |Anti-dumping duties on imports of pencils |WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/MEX |Terminated on 15 October 2008. |
| |(HS 9609.10.01) from China (20 August 2007). |of 4 March 2009. | |
|Mexico |Anti-dumping duties on imports of baby carriages (HS |WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/MEX |Terminated on 15 October 2008. |
| |8715.99.01) from China and Chinese Taipei (21 August |of 4 March 2009. | |
| |2007). | | |
|Mexico |Anti-dumping duties on imports of iron and steel |WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/MEX |Terminated on 15 October 2008. |
| |valves (HS 8481) from China (21 August 2007). |of 4 March 2009. | |
|Mexico |Anti-dumping duties on imports of candles (HS |WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/MEX |Terminated on 15 October 2008. |
| |3406.00.01) from China (5 September 2007). |of 4 March 2009. | |
|Mexico |Anti-dumping duties on imports of tools (HS 8201; |WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/MEX |Terminated on 15 October 2008. |
| |8203; 8204; 8205; 8206) from China (24 September |of 4 March 2009. | |
| |2007). | | |
|Mexico |Anti-dumping duties on imports of bicycles (HS 8712) |WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/MEX |Terminated on 15 October 2008. |
| |from China (18 October 2007). |of 4 March 2009. | |
|Mexico |Anti-dumping duties on imports of brass and bronze |WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/MEX |Terminated on 15 October 2008. |
| |padlocks (HS 8301.10.01) from China (21 November |of 4 March 2009. | |
| |2007). | | |
|Mexico |Anti-dumping duties on imports of organic chemicals |WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/MEX |Terminated on 15 October 2008. |
| |(HS 2915-2941) from China (26 November 2007). |of 4 March 2009. | |
|Mexico |Anti-dumping duties on imports of electrical machinery|WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/MEX |Terminated on 15 October 2008. |
| |and equipment and parts thereof (HS 8501; 8504; 8508; |of 4 March 2009. | |
| |8509; 8515; 8516; 8532) from China (3 December 2007). | | |
|Annex 1(a) (cont'd) |
|Mexico |Anti-dumping duties on imports of yarn and woven |WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/MEX |Terminated on 15 October 2008. |
| |fabrics (HS 3005; 5204-5212; 5309; 5310; 5401; 5402; |of 4 March 2009. | |
| |5404; 5407; 5408; 5506; 5508-5516; 5803; 5911) from | | |
| |China (3 December 2007). | | |
|Mexico |Anti-dumping duties on imports of Christmas toys and |WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/MEX |Terminated on 15 October 2008. |
| |trees (HS 9503; 9504; 9505) from China (5 December |of 4 March 2009. | |
| |2007). | | |
|Mexico |Anti-dumping duties on imports of articles of apparel |WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/MEX |Terminated on 15 October 2008. |
| |and other made-up textile articles (HS 6101-6117; |of 4 March 2009. | |
| |6201-6217; 6301-6310) from China (5 December 2007). | | |
|Mexico |Tariff reductions on 97% of manufactured goods. This |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |reduction will take place in five annual phases. In |Mexico to the WTO (12 March | |
| |2013, the average applied tariff should be reduced to |2009). | |
| |4.3% from 10.4% (December 2008). 63% of the tariff | | |
| |lines should be duty-free by then. | | |
|Mexico |Measures to simplify trade procedures (Paquete de |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |Simplificación Comercial) through the elimination of |Mexico to the WTO (9 April | |
| |tariffs on imports of used parts. |2009). | |
|Mexico |Anti-dumping duties on imports of parathion-methyl (HS|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188 of |Terminated on 25 February 2009.|
| |2920.11.02; 3808.50.01) from Denmark. |13 October 2009. | |
|Mexico |Anti-dumping duties on imports of steel beams from |WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/MEX |Terminated on 30 June 2009. |
| |Brazil (HS 7216.32.01). |of 13 October 2009. | |
|Moldova |Import ban of pork and pork meat products from Canada |Global Public Health |The ban on imports from Canada |
| |(A(H1N1) Flu related). |Intelligence Network (GPHIN).|was lifted. |
| |Ban on transit of live animals from countries with | | |
| |A(H1N1) Flu confirmed cases. | | |
|Pakistan |Initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of|WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/PAK |Terminated without measure on 7|
| |soap noodles (HS 3401.2000) from Malaysia (18 November|of 27 January 2009. |February 2009. |
| |2008). | | |
|Pakistan |Anti-dumping duties on imports of glacial acetic acid |WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/PAK |Terminated on 25 February 2009.|
| |from Chinese Taipei. |(forthcoming). | |
|Pakistan |Anti-dumping duties on imports of ceramic tiles |WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/PAK |Terminated on 14 March 2009. |
| |(HS 6907; 6908) from China (24 September 2008). |(forthcoming). | |
|Peru |Initiation of safeguard investigation on imports of |WTO Document G/SG/N/6/PER/2 |Terminated without measure on |
| |cotton yarn. |of 25 March 2009. |17 August 2009. |
|Peru |Anti-dumping duties on imports of iron hinges from |WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/PER |Terminated on 12 May 2009. |
| |China. |of 2 October 2009. | |
|Peru |Anti-dumping duties on imports of denim fabrics (HS |WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/PER |Terminated on 7 June 2009. |
| |5209.42; 5211.42) from Brazil (2 July 2008). |of 2 October 2009. | |
|Peru |Anti-dumping duties on imports of gypsum board from |WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/PER |Terminated on 17 June 2009. |
| |Chile. |of 2 October 2009. | |
|Philippines |Tariff reduction on wheat; meslin; cement; and cement |Permanent Delegation of the |The period was extended for |
| |clinker to 0% for a period of six months, effective |Philippines to the WTO (7 |another six months on 10 July |
| |from 22 December 2008. |November 2008). |2009, except for feed wheat (HS|
| | | |1001.90.99). |
|Annex 1(a) (cont'd) |
|Philippines |Reduction and elimination of certain import tariffs on|Permanent Delegation of the | |
| |selected products (raw material inputs and consumer |Philippines to the WTO (6 May| |
| |products which are not locally available), under |2009). | |
| |Presidential Executive Order No. 790. | | |
|Russian Federation|Import ban of all meat and meat products from: Mexico,|WHO, Global Public Health |Some of the bans imposed at the|
| |one province of Canada, four US states, and 24 Central|Intelligence Network (GPHIN),|end of April 2009 have been |
| |American and Caribbean countries (A(H1N1) Flu |and Official website of |lifted on imports coming from |
| |related). |Rosselkhoznadzor |different countries and states,|
| |Import ban of pig meat and live pigs from: one |(). |on a case by case basis. |
| |province of Canada, seven US states, and the United | | |
| |Kingdom (A(H1N1) Flu related). | | |
|Russian Federation|Reduction of meat tariff quotas and increase of |Permanent Delegation of the | |
| |non-quota rates for pork (from 50% to 75%) and poultry|Russian Federation | |
| |(from 60% to 80%), (measure announced in November |(1 November 2008). | |
| |2007, but effective as from 1 January 2009). | | |
|Russian Federation|Elimination of import tariffs on certain types of |Permanent Delegation of the |Decision taken on a permanent |
| |engines and major components for certain types of |Russian Federation |basis. |
| |vehicles. |(6 November 2008). | |
|Russian Federation|Elimination of import tariffs on certain types of |Permanent Delegation of the |Decision taken on a permanent |
| |civil aircraft (below 50 passengers capacity and more |Russian Federation |basis. |
| |than 300). |(6 November 2008). | |
|Russian Federation|Elimination of import tariffs on ferrous scrap. |Permanent Delegation of the |Measure extended for nine |
| | |Russian Federation |months on 14 October 2009. |
| | |(6 November 2008). | |
|Russian Federation|Elimination of import tariffs on unalloyed nickel and |Permanent Delegation of the |Decision taken on a permanent |
| |copper cathode. |Russian Federation |basis. |
| | |(24 December 2008). | |
|Russian Federation|Elimination of import tariffs on polyester thread. |Permanent Delegation of the |Decision taken on a permanent |
| | |Russian Federation (10 March |basis. |
| | |2009). | |
|Russian Federation|Elimination of import tariffs on raw materials used in|Permanent Delegation of the |Decision taken on a permanent |
| |the production of rims for glasses. |Russian Federation (31 March |basis. |
| | |2009). | |
|Russian Federation|Elimination of import tariffs on copper waste and |Permanent Delegation of the |Effective until 7 February |
| |scrap (HS 7404), for nine months. |Russian Federation (3 April |2010. |
| | |2009). | |
|Russian Federation|Elimination of import tariffs on components used for |Permanent Delegation of the |Measure expired on 28 October |
| |the production of rims for glasses, for six months. |Russian Federation (15 April |2009. |
| | |2009). | |
|Russian Federation|Elimination of import tariffs on certain types of |Permanent Delegation of the |Effective until 15 January |
| |digital ships, for nine months. |Russian Federation (15 April |2010. |
| | |2009). | |
|Russian Federation|Elimination of import tariffs on child safety seats; |Permanent Delegation of the |Effective until 27 January |
| |for nine months. |Russian Federation (15 April |2010. |
| | |2009). | |
|Russian Federation|Elimination of import tariffs on chicken and certain |Permanent Delegation of the |Decision taken on a permanent |
| |types of fertile eggs. |Russian Federation (20 April |basis. |
| | |2009). | |
|Russian Federation|Extension of import duty-free access for linear low |Permanent Delegation of the |Effective until 20 January |
| |density polyethylene, for nine months. |Russian Federation (20 April |2010. |
| | |2009). | |
|Russian Federation|Elimination of import tariffs on certain chemical |Permanent Delegation of the |Decision made on a permanent |
| |products used in leather-shoe industry; and sheets for|Russian Federation (25 June |basis. |
| |veneering of furniture made of topical wood. |2009). | |
|Russian Federation|Elimination of import tariffs (previously 15%-20%) on |Permanent Delegation of the |Decision taken on a permanent |
| |certain components of civil aircraft and flight |Russian Federation (20 August|basis. |
| |simulators. |2009). | |
|Russian Federation|Extension of duty-free access for TV plasma screens. |Permanent Delegation of the |Effective until 29 May 2010. |
| | |Russian Federation (20 August| |
| | |2009). | |
|Annex 1(a) (cont'd) |
|Russian Federation|Elimination of import tariffs (previously 5%) on |Permanent Delegation of the |Decision taken on a permanent |
| |certain medical equipments. |Russian Federation (21 August|basis. |
| | |2009). | |
|Russian Federation|Elimination of import tariffs (previously 5%) on |Permanent Delegation of the |Decision taken on a permanent |
| |ceramic header for the production of catalysts. |Russian Federation (28 August|basis. |
| | |2009). | |
|Russian Federation|Extension of duty-free access for certain metal |Permanent Delegation of the |Effective until 8 July 2010. |
| |processing equipments (HS 8455 22), for nine months. |Russian Federation (8 | |
| | |September 2009). | |
|Russian Federation|Reduction on import tariffs (from 20% to 15%) on |Permanent Delegation of the |Effective as from 2 November |
| |certain types of corrosion-resistant pipes. |Russian Federation. |2009. |
|Russian Federation|Decrease of import tariffs on stamping machines with |Permanent Delegation of the | |
| |programmed numerical control (from 10% to duty-free). |Russian Federation (13 | |
| | |December 2009). | |
|Serbia |Import ban (and transit) of pigs and pork products |Permanent Delegation of |The ban for imports coming from|
| |originating from North and Latin America (A(H1N1) Flu |Serbia to the UN Office in |the United States was lifted on|
| |related). |Geneva. |2 June 2009. |
|South Africa |Reduction of import tariffs (many to duty-free) on 235|Permanent Delegation of South| |
| |tariff lines covering products such as textiles (12 |Africa to the WTO (1 October | |
| |June 2009), garments (10 July 2009), aluminium |2009). | |
| |products (24 July 2009), and chemicals, machinery and | | |
| |parts (14 August 2009). | | |
|South Africa |Anti-dumping duties on imports of suspension PVC (HS |WTO Document |Terminated on 8 May 2009. |
| |3904.10) from Brazil, France, United Kingdom and the |G/ADP/N/188/ZAF/Rev.1 of 9 | |
| |United States. |October 2009. | |
|South Africa |Anti-dumping duties on imports of uncoated wood-free |WTO Document |Terminated on 8 May 2009. |
| |paper (HS 4802.5) from Brazil and Poland. |G/ADP/N/188/ZAF/Rev.1 of 9 | |
| | |October 2009. | |
|South Africa |Anti-dumping duties on imports of aluminium hollowware|WTO Document |Terminated on 8 May 2009. |
| |(HS 7615.19) from China and Egypt. |G/ADP/N/188/ZAF/Rev.1 of 9 | |
| | |October 2009. | |
|South Africa |Anti-dumping duties on imports of carbon black (HS |WTO Document |Terminated on 8 May 2009. |
| |28.03) from Egypt and India. |G/ADP/N/188/ZAF/Rev.1 of 9 | |
| | |October 2009. | |
|South Africa |Anti-dumping duties on imports of welded galvanized |WTO Document |Terminated on 8 May 2009. |
| |steel pipe (HS 7306.30) from India. |G/ADP/N/188/ZAF/Rev.1 of 9 | |
| | |October 2009. | |
|South Africa |Anti-dumping duties on imports of garden picks (HS |WTO Document |Terminated on 8 May 2009. |
| |8201.30) from India. |G/ADP/N/188/ZAF/Rev.1 of 9 | |
| | |October 2009. | |
|South Africa |Anti-dumping duties on imports of automatic circuit |WTO Document |Terminated on 12 June 2009. |
| |breakers (HS 8536.20) from France and Italy. |G/ADP/N/188/ZAF/Rev.1 of 9 | |
| | |October 2009. | |
|Suriname |Import ban of live animals, animal product, and raw |Global Public Health |The ban for imports coming from|
| |pork, from any country with A(H1N1) Flu confirmed |Intelligence Network (GPHIN).|Mexico was lifted on 14 May |
| |cases. | |2009. |
|Thailand |Import ban of live pigs from countries with A(H1N1) |Permanent Delegation of |The ban was lifted on 20 May |
| |Flu confirmed cases. |Thailand to the WTO (27 April|2009. |
| | |2009). | |
|Thailand |Anti-dumping duties on imports of flat cold-rolled |WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/THA |Terminated on 19 March 2009. |
| |stainless steel (HS 7219; 7220) from the EC (12 March |of 18 August 2009. | |
| |2008). | | |
|Tunisia |Reduction of certain customs duties under economic |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |stimulus plan. |Tunisia. | |
|Annex 1(a) (cont'd) |
|Turkey |Increase of import tariffs on a number of products |Permanent Delegation of |The tariffs for hot and cold |
| |such as iron-steel – hot rolled flat products (from 5%|Turkey to the WTO (31 |rolled steel flat were reduced |
| |to 13%); iron-steel cold rolled flat products (from 6%|December 2008). |to 9% and 10% respectively on |
| |to 14%); iron-steel- coated flat products (from | |18 September 2009. |
| |3.4%-14% to 6%-15%); and dried apricots, prunes, | | |
| |apples (from 41% to 43.2%). | | |
|Ukraine |Import ban of live pigs and pork meat from: Canada, |Global Public Health |The ban for imports from Canada|
| |Mexico, New Zealand and the United States (A(H1N1) Flu|Intelligence Network (GPHIN).|was lifted. |
| |related). | | |
|Ukraine |New legislation (established on 18 December 2008) |Permanent Delegation of |Measure abolished on 14 July |
| |restricting access of foreign companies to government |Ukraine to the WTO |2009. |
| |procurement (except for goods which are not produced |(18 December 2008). | |
| |locally). Measure to be in force until 31 December | | |
| |2010. | | |
|Ukraine |Import duty surcharges up to 13%, except for "critical|Notification to the WTO |Import surcharges for all the |
| |imports" for a term of up to six months, with a view |(WT/BOP/N/66 of 9 March 2009)|products, except refrigerators |
| |to restore balance-of-payments (Article XII of GATT | |and motor vehicles were |
| |1994). |Law No. 923-VI. |eliminated in May 2009. Import |
| | |WTO Document WT/BOP/N/68 of |surcharges on refrigerators and|
| | |18 May 2009. |motor vehicles were eliminated |
| | | |as of 7 September 2009. |
|Ukraine |Anti-dumping duties on imports of citric acid from |WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/UKR |Terminated without review on 8 |
| |China (HS 2918.14). |of 7 October 2009. |April 2009. |
|Ukraine |Anti-dumping duties on imports of fireboard from |WTO Document G/SG/N/188/UKR |Terminated without review on 8 |
| |Poland (HS 4411). |of 7 October 2009. |April 2009. |
|United Arab |Import ban of pigs and pork products from countries |Permanent Delegation of the |The ban was lifted on 7 May |
|Emirates |with A(H1N1) Flu confirmed cases. |UAE to the WTO (26 April |2009. |
| | |2009). | |
|United States |Anti-dumping duties on imports of high and ultra-high |WTO Document G/ADP/N/180/USA |Terminated on 30 December 2008.|
| |voltage ceramic station post insulators from Japan. |of 11 March 2009. | |
|United States |Anti-dumping duties on imports of certain concrete |WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/USA |Terminated on 5 January 2009. |
| |reinforcing bar from Turkey. |of 18 September 2009. | |
|United States |Anti-dumping duties on imports of gray portland cement|WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/USA |Terminated on 6 April 2009. |
| |and clinker from Mexico. |of 18 September 2009. | |
|United States |Anti-dumping duties on imports of certain colour |WTO Document G/ADP/N/188/USA |Terminated on 1 July 2009. |
| |television receivers from China. |of 18 September 2009. | |
|Viet Nam |Reduction of import tariffs on diesel and kerosene |Permanent Delegation of Viet | |
| |diesel fuel by 5%. |Nam to the WTO (13 April | |
| | |2009). | |
|Viet Nam |Reduction of import tariffs on feed and raw materials |Permanent Delegation of Viet | |
| |used to produce feed (from 7% to zero). |Nam to the WTO (14 April | |
| | |2009). | |
ANNEX 2
General Economic Stimulus Measures[54]
(October 2008 – October 2009)
VERIFIED INFORMATION
|Country/ |Measure |Source/Date |Status (in force unless |
|Member State | | |otherwise indicated) |
|Australia |Stimulus Package "Economic Security Strategy (ESS)" |Permanent Delegation of |Over 90% of one-off cash |
| |(1% of GDP). |Australia to the WTO (October|payments have been made. |
| | |2008). | |
|Australia |Programme of nation building investment (A$66 billion |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |(US$60 billion)) in infrastructure, including roads, |Australia to the WTO (12 May | |
| |metro rail, ports, universities and energy efficiency,|2009). | |
| |under the Government's 2009-10 Budget. The A$42 | | |
| |billion (US$38.2 billion) Nation Building and Jobs | | |
| |Plan, announced in February 2009, included tax bonus | | |
| |payments for working Australians and investment in | | |
| |shovel-ready infrastructure projects. A further A$22 | | |
| |billion (US$20 billion), under the National Building | | |
| |for the Future infrastructure package was announced in| | |
| |the 2009-10 Budget. | | |
|Australia |New South Wales Government Procurement: "Local Jobs |Permanent Delegation of |No implementing guidelines have|
| |First Plan" included in its Stimulus Package, |Australia to the WTO (16 June|been issued, or measures put in|
| |providing a price preference for Australian and New |2009). |place activating the policy. |
| |Zealand content. | | |
|Bangladesh |Stimulus package (US$492 million) for a number of |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |sectors such as agriculture, electricity generation, |Bangladesh to the WTO. | |
| |and social safety net programmes (financial year | | |
| |2008-09). | | |
|Brazil |Government credits (US$1.7 billion) for carmakers; and|Permanent Delegation of | |
| |temporary reduction of the industrial products tax on |Brazil to the WTO (7 February| |
| |car sales (until April 2009). |2009). | |
|Brazil |Additional credit line (US$4 billion) for State |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |Governments through the National Development Bank |Brazil to the WTO (17 April | |
| |(BNDES). |2009). | |
|Brazil |Provisional Programme for Investment Support (interest|Permanent Delegation of | |
| |rate of 4.5%) through the National Development Bank |Brazil to the WTO (16 June | |
| |(BNDES PSI), to finance the production of capital |2009). | |
| |goods destined for exports. | | |
|Canada |Stimulus package "Canada Economic Action Plan" (almost|Permanent Delegation of | |
| |C$30 billion (US$27.9 billion) in 2009, but to surpass|Canada to the WTO (27 January| |
| |C$50 billion (US$46.5 billion) over the next two |2009). | |
| |years, including stimulus from other levels of | | |
| |government). | | |
|Canada |Additional measures for the automotive industry, |Permanent Delegation of |Conclusion of the Programme on |
| |including the Canadian Warranty Commitment Programme, |Canada to the WTO |16 September 2009 (the accounts|
| |to guarantee warranties from GM of Canada and Chrysler|(April 2009). |receivable insurance still in |
| |Canada during the restructuring period, and expanded | |place). |
| |accounts receivable insurance for automotive parts | | |
| |suppliers. | | |
|Annex 2 (cont'd) |
|Canada |Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario |Permanent Delegation of |Loan agreements implemented. |
| |provided loans to General Motors of Canada Inc. and |Canada to the WTO | |
| |Chrysler Canada Inc. In April 2009 the Chrysler Canada|(April 2009). | |
| |loan was increased to Can$3.7 billion (US$3.4 | | |
| |billion), and on 10 June a 2% ownership stake in the | | |
| |automaker was taken. Both Governments also increased | | |
| |the GM loan to Can$10.6 billion (US$9.9 billion) in | | |
| |April, and on 10 July took on a 12% ownership stake. | | |
|Canada |Under the Canadian Secured Credit Facility, the |Permanent Delegation of |Funds available until 31 March |
| |Government has committed to purchase up to Can$12 |Canada to the WTO (8 May |2010. |
| |billion (US$11.2 billion) of newly issued term |2009). | |
| |asset-back securities (ABS) backed by loans and leases| | |
| |on vehicles and equipment, and dealer floor plan loans| | |
| |through the Business Development Banks. | | |
|Canada |Government funding (Can$1 billion (US$929.7 million)) |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |for Canadian pulp and paper producers that invest in |Canada to the WTO (18 June | |
| |improved energy efficiency and environmental |2009). | |
| |performance. | | |
|Canada |Government loan (Can$100 million (US$93 million), |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |through "Canada Account" to Air Canada. |Canada to the WTO (29 July | |
| | |2009). | |
|China |Increase of short-term export credit insurance by |Permanent Delegation of China| |
| |China Export and Credit Insurance Corporation to US$84|to the WTO. | |
| |billion in 2009. | | |
| |Increase of preferential export buyer' credit by the | | |
| |Import-Export Bank of China to US$10 billion in 2009. | | |
|China |Support credit guarantee for SMEs (Y 1.6 billion |Permanent Delegation of China| |
| |(US$234.3 million)). |to the WTO (October 2008). | |
|China |Reduction of purchase tax for cars of 1,600cc and |Permanent Delegation of China|Measure valid from 20 January |
| |below. |to the WTO (20 January 2009).|until 31 December 2009. |
|China |Expansion of the scope of the support policy for |Permanent Delegation of China| |
| |disposal and renewal of used vehicles (refund of no |to the WTO (March 2009). | |
| |more than the purchase tax of the vehicle). | | |
|China |Financial refund for farmers purchasing light cargo |Permanent Delegation of China|Measure valid from 1 March |
| |vehicles. |to the WTO (1 March 2009). |until 31 December 2009. |
|China |From the beginning of 2009, adjusting and |Permanent Delegation of China| |
| |reinvigorating plans for 10 industries, including iron|to the WTO (April 2009). | |
| |and steel, automotive, ship-building, petrochemicals, | | |
| |light manufacturing, textiles, non-ferrous metals, | | |
| |equipment manufacturing, electronics and information, | | |
| |and logistic. | | |
|China |"Old for new" pilot incentive programme (a support of |Permanent Delegation of China| |
| |no more than 10% of the sales price of the product) |to the WTO (June 2009). | |
| |for household electrical appliances including: TV, | | |
| |refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners, and| | |
| |computers to be carried out in certain Provinces and | | |
| |cities (Y 2 billion (US$293 million)). | | |
|China |Policies to promote the accelerated development of |Permanent Delegation of China|Specific implementing measures |
| |bio-industries. |to the WTO (2 June 2009). |still to be defined. |
|China |Establishment of the Financing Guarantee Special Funds|Permanent Delegation of China| |
| |for SMEs. |to the WTO (7 August 2009). | |
|Costa Rica |Economic and social stimulus programme (Plan Escudo) |Permanent Delegation of Costa| |
| |including measures (among others) aimed at |Rica to the WTO. | |
| |strengthening the banking system, facilitating credit | | |
| |for SMEs, and capitalization of State banks. | | |
|Annex 2 (cont'd) |
|EC |Increase (from €25 billion to €50 billion (US$37- |Council Regulation No. | |
| |US$74 billion)) for the outstanding amount of loans to|431/2009 of 18 May 2009 (OJ L| |
| |be granted under the EC medium-term assistance for |128/1). | |
| |balance-of-payments facility. | | |
|Austria |Temporary aid scheme granting compatible aid of up to |Public information available |Aid can be granted until |
| |€500,000 (US$740,000), in the form of direct grants, |on the European Commission's |31 December 2010. |
| |interest rate subsidies, subsidised public loans and |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |public guarantees. (Beneficiary: companies that were |Delegation (20 March 2009). | |
| |not in difficulty on 1 July 2008). | | |
| |The scheme was amended on 18 June 2009 (€10 billion | | |
| |(US$14.8 billion) budget increase). | | |
|Austria |Temporary modification of the existing risk capital |Public information available | |
| |investment scheme ‘Eigenkapitalgarantien’. In |on the European Commission's | |
| |particular, the measure allows an increase of the |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |maximum investment tranches from €1.5 million (US$2.2 |Delegation (25 March 2009). | |
| |million) to €2.5 million (US$3.7 million) over each | | |
| |12-month period until 31 December 2010. The minimum | | |
| |private participation for risk capital investments is | | |
| |temporarily reduced from 50% to 30%. (Beneficiary: | | |
| |businesses). | | |
|Belgium |Temporary scheme providing aid in the form of |Public information available | |
| |subsidized guarantees for investment and working |on the European Commission's | |
| |capital loans. The reduction of the guarantee fee can |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |be applied during the period of up to two years for |Delegation (20 March 2009). | |
| |loan guarantees contracted no later than | | |
| |31 December 2010. Where the duration of the underlying| | |
| |loan exceeds two years, the safe harbour premiums may | | |
| |be applied for the remaining period of the guarantee. | | |
| |The maximum duration of guarantees granted under the | | |
| |scheme is limited to five years. (Beneficiary: | | |
| |companies in Flanders that were not in difficulty on | | |
| |1 July 2008). | | |
|Belgium |Arkimedes risk-capital programme, increase of annual |Public information available | |
| |investment tranches. |on the European Commission's | |
| | |website transmitted by the EC| |
| | |Delegation (3 June 2009). | |
|Czech Republic |Temporary scheme allowing government, regional and |Public information available | |
| |local authorities to grant aid in the form of reduced |on the European Commission's | |
| |interest rates on loans. The lower rates available for|website transmitted by the EC| |
| |loans contracted no later than 31 December, but only |Delegation (6 May 2009). | |
| |on interest payments up to 31 December 2012. After | | |
| |that date firms have to pay market rates. | | |
| |(Beneficiary: companies that were not in difficulty on| | |
| |1 July 2008). | | |
|Czech Republic |Temporary scheme granting compatible aid of up to |Public information available | |
| |€500,000 (US$740,000) per company over the period |on the European Commission's | |
| |2009-10. The aid can be granted in the form of direct |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |grants, reimbursable grants, interest rate subsidies, |Delegation (7 May 2009). | |
| |subsidised public loans and public guarantees. | | |
| |(Beneficiary: companies that were not in difficulty on| | |
| |1 July 2008). | | |
|Annex 2 (cont'd) |
|Denmark |Export credit insurance scheme, under which, the |Public information available | |
| |Danish state export-credit agency Eksport Kredit |on the European Commission's | |
| |Fonden (EKF) can provide export-credit reinsurance to |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |complement insurance cover available on the private |Delegation (6 May 2009). | |
| |market. Under the reinsurance agreement with the | | |
| |private credit insurer, EFK takes over the part of the| | |
| |risk related to those transactions for which private | | |
| |insurers have withdrawn their cover. Both, the private| | |
| |insurers and the exporters retain part of the | | |
| |underlying risk. (Beneficiary: export firms). | | |
|Estonia |Aid up to €500,000 (US$740,000) per company in the |Public information available | |
| |form of grant, loans and guarantees, until 31 December|on the European Commission's | |
| |2010. |website transmitted by the EC| |
| | |Delegation (13 July 2009). | |
|Finland |Scheme granting aid of up to €500 000 (US$740,000) per|Public information available |. |
| |company. (Beneficiary: companies that were not in |on the European Commission's | |
| |difficulty on 1 July 2008). |website transmitted by the EC| |
| | |Delegation (3 June 2009). | |
|Finland |Guarantee scheme providing relief in the form of |Public information available | |
| |subsidized guarantees for investment and working |on the European Commission's | |
| |capital loans concluded by 31 December 2010. |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |(Beneficiary: companies that were not in difficulty on|Delegation (9 June 2009). | |
| |1 July 2008). | | |
|Finland |Export credit insurance scheme: short-term |Public information available | |
| |export-credit insurance coverage to companies |on the European Commission's | |
| |established in Finland. The maximum coverage would be |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |90% for both commercial and political risk, which |Delegation (22 June 2009). | |
| |means that the exporters would have to assume at least| | |
| |10% of the underlying risk themselves. (Beneficiary: | | |
| |companies that were not in difficulty on 1 July 2008).| | |
|France |"Régime temporaire d'aides compatibles d'un montant |Public information available | |
| |limité". This measure allows State, regional or local|on the European Commission's | |
| |authorities and certain public bodies to grant aid of |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |up to €500,000 (US$740,000) in 2009 and 2010 to |Delegation (19 January 2009).| |
| |businesses which find themselves in difficulty as a | | |
| |result of the economic crisis. | | |
|France |"Régime temporaire de prêts bonifiés pour les |Public information available | |
| |entreprises fabriquant des produits verts". This |on the European Commission's | |
| |measure provides reduced-interest loans to business |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |investing in the production of green products. |Delegation (3 February 2009).| |
| |Supports businesses faced with financing problems | | |
| |because of the credit squeeze while at the same time | | |
| |making it easier for them to invest in products with | | |
| |an environmental benefit. | | |
|France |"Régime temporaire d'aides sous forme de taux |Public information available | |
| |d'intérêts bonifiés". This measure allows State, |on the European Commission's | |
| |regional or local authorities and certain public |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |bodies to grant aid in the form of reduced interest |Delegation (4 February 2009).| |
| |rates on loans. | | |
|France |"Régime temporaire d'aides sous forme de garanties". |Public information available | |
| |This scheme allows State authorities to grant aid, |on the European Commission's | |
| |until 31 December 2010, in the form of subsidized |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |guarantees for investment and working capital loans. |Delegation (27 February | |
| | |2009). | |
|Annex 2 (cont'd) |
|France |Loans to car industry. |Public information available | |
| | |on the European Commission's | |
| | |website transmitted by the EC| |
| | |Delegation (28 February | |
| | |2009). | |
|France |Modification of risk capital scheme. The temporary |Public information available | |
| |modification consists of raising the maximum |on the European Commission's | |
| |investment tranches from €1.5 million to €2.5 million |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |(US$2.2-US$3.7 million) over each 12-month period. |Delegation | |
| |This amendment is valid until the end of 2010. |(16 March 2009). | |
| |(Beneficiary: businesses). | | |
|France |Aid scheme (€25 million (US$37 million)) for provision|Public information available | |
| |of risk capital from 2009 until 31 December 2010. |on the European Commission's | |
| |(Beneficiary: SMEs (all sectors)). |website transmitted by the EC| |
| | |Delegation (30 June 2009). | |
|France |Short-term export credit insurance. Coface, a public |Public information available | |
| |export credit agency, to provide short-term |on the European Commission's | |
| |export-credit insurance to companies established in |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |France, where such cover is unavailable in the private|Delegation | |
| |market. Only financially sound export transactions |(5 October 2009). | |
| |would be eligible for support under the measure. The | | |
| |Commission authorised the measure until 31 December | | |
| |2010. | | |
|Germany |KfW-run loan component of German "Konjunkturprogramm" |Public information available | |
| |for larger companies. Aid to undertakings affected by|on the European Commission's | |
| |the current credit squeeze. The programme will be |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |administered by the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau |Delegation | |
| |(KfW). |(30 December 2008). | |
|Germany |Federal Framework Scheme for small amounts of capital |Public information available | |
| |aid up to €500,000 (US$740,000) per company until |on the European Commission's | |
| |2010. |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |The scheme was amended on 4 June 2009. Risk-capital |Delegation | |
| |injunctions in the form of direct grants up to |(30 December 2008). | |
| |€500,000 (US$740,000). Private investment, | | |
| |particularly in the form of wholly or partially | | |
| |privately-funded constructions, is explicitly excluded| | |
| |from the scheme. (Beneficiary: undertakings with | | |
| |normally a maximum turnover of €500 million (US$740 | | |
| |million), excluding companies that were in difficulty | | |
| |on 1 July 2008). | | |
| |Second amendment on 17 July 2009 calculating the aid | | |
| |element of public guarantees on the basis of safe | | |
| |harbour premiums of the EC's Temporary Framework. | | |
|Germany |More flexible capital investments until 2010 for SMEs |Public information available | |
| |that are in early stages of development. Measure |on the European Commission's | |
| |increases the maximum investment ranges from |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |€1.5 million to €2.5 million (US$2.2 million to |Delegation (3 February 2009).| |
| |US$3.7 million). | | |
|Germany |Loans at low interest rates for companies encountering|Public information available | |
| |financial difficulties as a result of the economic and|on the European Commission's | |
| |financial crisis. |website transmitted by the EC| |
| | |Delegation | |
| | |(19 February 2009). | |
|Annex 2 (cont'd) |
|Germany |Subsidized State guarantees for companies in the form |Public information available | |
| |of investment and working capital loans. |on the European Commission's | |
| | |website transmitted by the EC| |
| | |Delegation | |
| | |(27 February 2009). | |
|Germany |Tax refund aid scheme (€570 million (US$843.6 million)|Public information available | |
| |through reduction of energy costs of primary |on the European Commission's | |
| |agricultural and forestry production, until |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |31 December 2009. |Delegation (13 July 2009). | |
|Germany |Temporary reduced-interest loans scheme for green |Public information available | |
| |products. (Beneficiary: companies that were not in |on the European Commission's | |
| |difficulty on 1 July 2008). |website transmitted by the EC| |
| | |Delegation | |
| | |(4 August 2009). | |
|Germany |Short-term export credit insurance. The German state |Public information available | |
| |export credit insurance scheme, managed by a |on the European Commission's | |
| |Consortium consisting of Euler Hermes and |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |PricewaterhouseCoopers, provide short-term |Delegation | |
| |export-credit insurance to companies established in |(6 August 2009). | |
| |Germany, where such cover is unavailable in the | | |
| |private market for financially sound export | | |
| |transactions. To receive insurance under the scheme, a| | |
| |considerable proportion of the risk needs to be | | |
| |retained by the exporter, to ensure that only sound | | |
| |transactions are covered. This measure is authorised | | |
| |until 31 December 2010. | | |
|Germany |Aid scheme (overall budget €360 million (US$532.8 |EC State Aid N 458/09 (OJ | |
| |million), annual budget €120 million (US$177.6 |2009/C 230/01) | |
| |million)), from 1 July 2009 to 31 December 2011. |(14 August 2009). | |
| |(Beneficiary: firms from the Hessen Region in | | |
| |difficulty from all sectors). | | |
|Germany |Scheme to facilitate the refinancing of export credits|EC State Aid N 456/09 (OJ | |
| |(overall budget €1.5 billion (US$2.2 billion)) through|2009/C 247/01) | |
| |KfW Frankfurt am Main, from 15 September 2009 until 14|(15 September 2009). | |
| |March 2010. | | |
|Greece |Scheme for subsidized guarantees for investment and |Public information available | |
| |working capital loans concluded by 31 December 2010. |on the European Commission's | |
| |(Beneficiary: companies that were not in difficulty on|website transmitted by the EC| |
| |1 July 2008). |Delegation (3 June 2009). | |
|Greece |Scheme allowing aid in the form of reduced interest |Public information available | |
| |rates on loans concluded by 31 December 2010. |on the European Commission's | |
| |(Beneficiary: companies that were not in difficulty on|website transmitted by the EC| |
| |1 July 2008). |Delegation (3 June 2009). | |
|Greece |Aid up to €500,000 (US$740,000) per company in the |Public information available | |
| |form of grants, until 31 December 2010. |on the European Commission's | |
| | |website transmitted by the EC| |
| | |Delegation (16 July 2009). | |
|Annex 2 (cont'd) |
|Hungary |Temporary aid scheme for granting limited amount of |Public information available | |
| |compatible aid. The scheme enables the granting of |on the European Commission's | |
| |aid of up to €500,000 (US$740,000) and reduced |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |interest loans. |Delegation | |
| | |(24 February 2009). | |
|Hungary |Temporary scheme allowing authorities to grant aid in |Public information available | |
| |the form of subsidized guarantees for investment and |on the European Commission's | |
| |working capital. During the period of up to two years |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |the guarantee fee for loan and leasing guarantees |Delegation | |
| |contracted no later than 31 December can be reduced by|(10 March 2009). | |
| |25% compared with the market level fee. The guarantee | | |
| |coverage can amount to 90% of the underlying loan or | | |
| |leasing. Guarantees can only be given under the scheme| | |
| |to SMEs up to a total of €2.5 million (US$3.7 million)| | |
| |per beneficiary. (Beneficiary: companies that were not| | |
| |in difficulty on 1 July 2008). | | |
|Hungary |Application of rules relating to aid in the form of |Public information available | |
| |guarantees under the Temporary Framework. |on the European Commission's | |
| | |website transmitted by the EC| |
| | |Delegation (1 July 2009). | |
|Ireland |Temporary measure allowing the State to grant aid of |Public information available | |
| |up to €500,000 (US$740,000) per firm in 2009 and 2010.|on the European Commission's | |
| |The aid can be granted in the form of direct grants, |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |reimbursable grants, interest rate subsidies, and |Delegation (14 April 2009). | |
| |subsidized public loans. (Beneficiary: companies that | | |
| |were not in difficulty on 1 July 2008). | | |
|Italy |Adaptation of existing risk capital schemes to |Public information available | |
| |increase companies' financing by increasing the |on the European Commission's | |
| |maximum investment tranches and reduced private |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |participation, until 31 December 2010. |Delegation (20 May 2009). | |
|Italy |Scheme allowing up to €500,000 (US$740,000) per |Public information available | |
| |company in the form of debt write off, direct grant, |on the European Commission's | |
| |interest subsidy until 31 December 2010. (Beneficiary:|website transmitted by the EC| |
| |companies that were not in difficulty on 1 July 2008).|Delegation (28 May 2009). | |
|Italy |Guarantee scheme until 31 December 2010. (Beneficiary:|Public information available | |
| |companies that were not in difficulty on 1 July 2008).|on the European Commission's | |
| | |website transmitted by the EC| |
| | |Delegation (28 May 2009). | |
|Italy |Reduced interest rate until 31 December 2010. |Public information available | |
| |(Beneficiary: companies that were not in difficulty on|on the European Commission's | |
| |1 July 2008). |website transmitted by the EC| |
| | |Delegation (29 May 2009). | |
|Latvia |Temporary measure aimed at supporting exporters by |Public information available |Measure to be terminated by 31 |
| |covering risks and serving as additional security for |on the European Commission's |December 2010. |
| |export transaction financing (where deferred payment |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |does not exceed two years). |Delegation (19 March 2009). | |
|Annex 2 (cont'd) |
|Lithuania |Scheme allowing aid of up to €500,000 (US$740,000) per|Public information available | |
| |firm to businesses facing funding problems because of |on the European Commission's | |
| |the current credit squeeze. (Beneficiary: companies |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |that were not in difficulty on 1 July 2008). |Delegation (8 June 2009). | |
|Luxembourg |"Régime temporaire d'aides au redressement |Public information available | |
| |économique". This scheme enables granting aid of up |on the European Commission's | |
| |to €500,000 (US$740,000) to businesses likely to have |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |a structural impact on the national or regional |Delegation (27 February | |
| |economy. |2009). | |
|Luxembourg |Temporary guarantee scheme enabling the Government to |Public information available | |
| |grant aid to businesses until 31 December 2010 in the |on the European Commission's | |
| |form of guarantees for investment and working capital.|website transmitted by the EC| |
| |The reduction in the guarantee premium will apply for |Delegation (11 March 2009). | |
| |a maximum of two years. If the duration of the | | |
| |underlying loan exceeds two years, the safe harbour | | |
| |premium can be applied for an additional maximum | | |
| |period of eight years. No further reduction can be | | |
| |applied to these guarantee premiums. The guarantees | | |
| |granted under this aid scheme will last for 10 years | | |
| |at most. (Beneficiary: companies that were not in | | |
| |difficulty on 1 July 2008). | | |
|Luxembourg |Temporary export-credit insurance scheme, under which |Public information available | |
| |the export-credit agency concerned, Ducroire |on the European Commission's | |
| |Luxembourg, will provide export-credit insurance to |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |complement insurance policies taken out with private |Delegation (20 April 2009). | |
| |insurance companies. Ducroire can provide credit up to| | |
| |a higher limit where evidence exists that private | | |
| |insurers have excessively reduced or even refused | | |
| |credit. The budget earmarked for this measure amounts | | |
| |to €25 million (US$37 million). (Beneficiary: | | |
| |Insurance market). | | |
|Malta |Support measure for businesses, up to €500,000 |Public information available | |
| |(US$740,000) per firm may be granted in 2009 and 2010.|on the European Commission's | |
| |(Beneficiary: businesses facing funding problems |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |because of the current credit crunch). |Delegation (18 May 2009). | |
|Netherlands |Temporary scheme to help business to deal with the |Public information available | |
| |current economic crisis. Authorities at national, |on the European Commission's | |
| |regional and local level may grant aid of up to |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |€500,000 (US$740,000) per firm in 2009 and 2010 to |Delegation (1 April 2009). | |
| |businesses facing funding problems because of the | | |
| |current credit crunch. | | |
|Netherlands |Export credit insurance – reinsurance scheme. The |Public information available | |
| |State will provide a reinsurance facility, which would|on the European Commission's | |
| |top up the cover offered by credit insurers in cases |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |where the existing credit limits have been reduced or |Delegation (2 October 2009). | |
| |new limits given by credit insurers are lower than the| | |
| |amount requested by the insured company. The maximum | | |
| |possible top-up amount provided by the Dutch State is | | |
| |100% of the credit limit offered by the credit | | |
| |insurer. In particular, the measure requires | | |
| |market-oriented remuneration and is focussed | | |
| |specifically on the problem of the current | | |
| |unavailability of short-term export credit insurance | | |
| |cover in the private market. The Commission authorised| | |
| |the measure until 31 December 2010. | | |
|Annex 2 (cont'd) |
|Portugal |Soft loans for granting of aid of up to €500,000 |Public information available | |
| |(US$740,000) for 2009 and 2010. |on the European Commission's | |
| | |website transmitted by the EC| |
| | |Delegation (19 January 2009).| |
|Poland |Temporary scheme for granting aid of up to €500,000 |Public information available | |
| |(US$740,000) per firm. |on the European Commission's | |
| | |website transmitted by the EC| |
| | |Delegation (17 August 2009). | |
|Romania |Scheme allowing aid in the form of subsidized |Public information available | |
| |guarantees for investment and working capital loans |on the European Commission's | |
| |concluded by 31 December 2010. (Beneficiary: companies|website transmitted by the EC| |
| |that were not in difficulty on 1 July 2008). |Delegation (5 June 2009). | |
|Slovak Rep. |Temporary measure allowing the State to grant aid of |Public information available | |
| |up to €500,000 (US$740,000) per firm in 2009 and 2010.|on the European Commission's | |
| |The aid can be granted in the form of grants and |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |remission of penalties for non-payment of taxes. |Delegation (30 April 2009). | |
| |(Beneficiary: companies that were not in difficulty on| | |
| |1 July 2008). | | |
|Slovenia |Scheme allowing aid of up to €500,000 (US$740,000) per|Public information available | |
| |company. (Beneficiary: companies that were not in |on the European Commission's | |
| |difficulty on 1 July 2008). |website transmitted by the EC| |
| | |Delegation (12 June 2009). | |
|Slovenia |Scheme allowing aid in the form of subsidized |Public information available | |
| |guarantees for investment and working capital loans |on the European Commission's | |
| |concluded by 31 December 2010. (Beneficiary: |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |companies that were not in difficulty on |Delegation (12 June 2009). | |
| |1 July 2008). | | |
|Spain |Temporary scheme allowing interest rate subsidies for |Public information available | |
| |the production of environmentally-friendly ("green") |on the European Commission's | |
| |cars. Subsidized loans may be granted until 31 |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |December 2009 with a maximum term of two years. The |Delegation | |
| |reduction in the interest rate may not exceed 50% SMEs|(29 March 2009). | |
| |and 25% for large businesses, in relation to the | | |
| |reference rate, and must take into account the | | |
| |enterprise’s risk profile when the loan is granted. | | |
| |(Beneficiary: companies (car and car component | | |
| |industry) that were not in difficulty on | | |
| |1 July 2008). | | |
|Spain |Scheme allowing direct grants of up to €500,000 |Public information available | |
| |(US$740,000) per company. (Beneficiary: companies |on the European Commission's | |
| |that were not in difficulty on 1 July 2008). |website transmitted by the EC| |
| | |Delegation (8 June 2009). | |
|Sweden |State guarantees in favour of Volvo car maker: |Public information available | |
| |guarantees that would enable it to access loans from |on the European Commission's | |
| |the European Investment Bank (EIB). The loans would |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |co-finance the development of environment-friendly |Delegation, and EC State Aid | |
| |cars. Volvo would pay an adequate remuneration for the|N 80/09 (OJ 2009 C 172/01) (5| |
| |guarantee and provide sufficient securities in case |June 2009). | |
| |the guarantee would be drawn. | | |
|Annex 2 (cont'd) |
|United Kingdom |Short-term provision of small amounts of compatible |Public information available | |
| |aid (De minimis) scheme. Measure enables aid of up to|on the European Commission's | |
| |€500,000 (US$740,000) to be granted in 2009 and 2010 |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |to businesses in difficulty as a consequence of the |Delegation | |
| |current economic crisis. |(4 February 2009). | |
|United Kingdom |Temporary measures to grant loan guarantees and |Public information available | |
| |interest rate subsidies. Businesses producing green |on the European Commission's | |
| |products will benefit. (Scheme will initially concern |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |car industry £2.3 billion (US$3.8 billion), but will |Delegation | |
| |be open to all sectors). |(27 February 2009). | |
|United Kingdom |Scheme aimed at relieving firms that encountered |Public information available | |
| |financial difficulties as a result of the current |on the European Commission's | |
| |credit crunch. The measure allows national, regional |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |and local authorities to grant aid in the form of |Delegation (15 May 2009). | |
| |reduced interest rates on loans of any duration | | |
| |concluded by 31 December 2010. | | |
|United Kingdom |Aid scheme (tax advantage) for SMEs in all sectors |EC State Aid NN 32/09 (OJ | |
| |(annual budget £210 million (US$343.6 million)), valid|2009/C 235/01) | |
| |until 6 April 2018. |(13 July 2009). | |
|United Kingdom |Rescue aid (overall budget £5 million (US$8.2 |EC State Aid NN 41/09 (ex N | |
| |million)) for motor vehicles manufacturing LDV Ltd., |313/09) (OJ 2009/C 212/03) (7| |
| |from 18 May 2009 to 12 June 2009. |August 2009). | |
|United Kingdom |"Welsh Assembly Government Rescue and Restruring |EC State Aid N 421/09 (OJ | |
| |Scheme Aid for SMEs" through the provision of risk |2009/C 230/01) (19 August | |
| |capital, debt write-off, and soft loan, from 1 |2009). | |
| |September 2009 to 31 December 2013. | | |
|Hong Kong, China |Enhancement of a number of support schemes for SMEs |Permanent Delegation of Hong | |
| |(Special Loan Guarantee Scheme, SME Loan Guarantee |Kong, China to the WTO (15 | |
| |Scheme, and SME Export Marketing Fund). |June 2009). | |
|India |Broad stimulus package including: fiscal measures and |Permanent Delegation of India| |
| |changes in FDI regulations (allowing for larger shares|to the WTO (7 December 2008).| |
| |of foreign ownership in areas such as industrial | | |
| |parks, air transport services, petroleum and natural | | |
| |gas, and mineral and ores) to counter recessionary | | |
| |trends. | | |
|Indonesia |Government loan (US$2.52 billion) for trade financing |Permanent Delegation of |Eximbank formally launched on 1|
| |(importers or exporters), through the Indonesian |Indonesia to the WTO |September 2009. |
| |Eximbank trade financing agency. |(1 September 2009). | |
|Jamaica |Support loans to small businesses and |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |micro-enterprises (US$350 million). |Jamaica to the WTO. | |
|Japan |New Stimulus Package (¥15.4 trillion (US$170.5 |Permanent Delegation of Japan|Projects worth ¥2.93 trillion |
| |billion)) (3% GDP) to ease credit squeeze; provide |to the WTO (April 2009). |(US$32.5 billion) suspended on |
| |safety net for unemployed, and stimulate consumer | |16 October 2009. |
| |demand. | | |
|Japan |As part of the New Stimulus Package, Government |Permanent Delegation of Japan|Programme applicable from 19 |
| |programme (¥370 billion (US$4.1 billion)), to |to the WTO (June 2009). |June 2009 to 31 March 2010. |
| |encourage the purchase of environmentally friendly | | |
| |vehicles (local and imported). The amount of subsidies| | |
| |depends on the type of the vehicle, the age of the car| | |
| |to be replaced, or simply purchase of new one without | | |
| |replacement. | | |
|Jordan |Monetary and fiscal measures (such as tax reduction on|Permanent Delegation of | |
| |accommodation services) to minimize the impact of the |Jordan to the WTO (March | |
| |global crisis on the economy. |2009). | |
|Korea, Rep. of |Stimulus package of US$14.1 billion in total, which |Permanent Delegation of Korea| |
| |constitutes approximately 2.4% of Korea's GDP. The |to the WTO (December 2008). | |
| |total amount of the package may be increased. | | |
|Annex 2 (cont'd) |
|Korea, Rep. of |Shipping fund to purchase vessels from shipping |Permanent Delegation of Korea|W 191.2 billion (US$161 |
| |companies as part of the government's efforts to |to the WTO (23 April 2009). |million) used as of 28 August |
| |facilitate restructuring of the shipping industry. The| |2009. |
| |fund has been established through contributions from | | |
| |private investors and financial institutions as well | | |
| |as from the Restructuring Fund managed by the Korea | | |
| |Asset Management Corporation (KAMCO). | | |
|Korea, Rep. of |70% cut on individual consumption tax and |Permanent Delegation of Korea|Measure effective until 31 |
| |acquisition/registration tax for new automobiles |to the WTO (1 May 2009). |December 2009. |
| |(local and imported) purchased to replace old | | |
| |automobiles (registered before 31 December 1999). | | |
|Malaysia |Automotive Development Fund (US$54.2 million), and |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |government financing of a scrapping scheme to promote |Malaysia to the WTO. | |
| |the purchase of new cars from national automakers. | | |
|Malaysia |Stimulus Package (RM 7 billion (US$2.1 billion)). |Permanent Delegation of | |
| | |Malaysia to the WTO (14 | |
| | |November 2008). | |
|Malaysia |"Micro Enterprise Fund" (RM 200 million (US$58.6 |Permanent Delegation of |RM 54 million (US$15.8 million)|
| |million)) launched by the Central Bank of Malaysia, to|Malaysia to the WTO |was granted to 2,554 micro |
| |broaden the access to financing for micro enterprises |(14 November 2008). |enterprises at the end of |
| |with viable businesses. | |August 2009. |
|Malaysia |"SME Assistance Guarantee Scheme" (RM 2 billion |Permanent Delegation of |RM 1.1 billion (US$322.2 |
| |(US$585.7 million)), established by the Central Bank |Malaysia to the WTO (February|million) was granted to 5,466 |
| |of Malaysia, to ensure that viable SMEs adversely |2009). |SMEs at the end of August 2009.|
| |impacted by the crisis, continue to have adequate | | |
| |access to financing. | | |
|Malaysia |Second Stimulus Package (RM 60 billion (US$17.6 |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |billion)), including measures to attract FDI. |Malaysia to the WTO | |
| | |(10 March 2009). | |
|New Zealand |Temporary change in the mandate of the New Zealand |Permanent Delegation of New |The scheme was extended (by |
| |Export Credit Office (NZECO), in order to provide |Zealand to the WTO (4 |NZ$100 million (US$74.4 |
| |short-term trade credit insurance at market rates, on |February 2009). |million)) on 24 June 2009. |
| |a temporary basis (Small Business Relief Package to | | |
| |Small and Medium Sized Businesses). | | |
|New Zealand |Stimulus package (NZ$500 million (US$372 million)) for|Permanent Delegation of New |The 2009 budget increased |
| |publicly-funded projects (housing, transport, and |Zealand to the WTO (11 |infrastructure funding to |
| |education). |February 2009). |NZ$7.5 billion (US$5.6 billion)|
| | | |over the next five years. |
|Norway |Export Guarantee Scheme (NKr 50 billion (US$8.7 |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |billion)) through the Guarantee Institute for Export |Norway to the WTO (26 January| |
| |Credits. |2009). | |
| |Special lending programme (NKr 30 billion (US$5.3 | | |
| |billion)) to Eksportfinans for export credits | | |
| |(CIRR-Loans). | | |
|Norway |Revised National Budget increasing the spending of oil|Permanent Delegation of | |
| |revenues by a further NKr 9.5 billion (US$1.7 billion)|Norway to the WTO | |
| |(to a total of NKr 130 billion (US$23.1 billion)) |(19 June 2009). | |
| |during the 2009 fiscal year, equivalent to around 3% | | |
| |of non-oil GDP. Additional funds will be provided to | | |
| |areas such as investment in the agriculture sector, | | |
| |municipalities, and credit facilitation. | | |
|Peru |Stimulus package ("Plan de Estímulo Económico" and |Permanent Delegation of Peru |Modified on 15 May 2009 (to |
| |"Programa de Seguro de Crédito a la Exportación para |to the WTO |guarantee up to 50% of credits |
| |Pequeñas y Medianas Empresas (SEPYMEX)"). |(30 January 2009). |granted to SMEs). |
|Philippines |Export Support Fund (PhP 200 million (US$4.2 million))|Permanent Delegation of | |
| |to finance export development and promotion, as well |Philippines to the WTO (30 | |
| |as capacity building for SMEs exporters. |May 2009). | |
|Annex 2 (cont'd) |
|Russian Federation|Financial support measures for the car industry: |Permanent Delegation of the |Funds fully allocated. Measure |
| |increase in government procurement volumes (maximum |Russian Federation |expired. |
| |Rub 87.5 billion, (US$3 billion)); loans to leasing |(6 November 2008). | |
| |companies (Rub 43 billion, (US$1.47 billion)); | | |
| |provision of State guarantees (Rub 130 billion, | | |
| |(US$4.46 billion)); and partial compensation on credit| | |
| |rates on vehicles purchased by private persons (Rub 2 | | |
| |billion, (US$68.6 million)). | | |
|Russian Federation|Special anti-crisis package for SMEs, including small |Permanent Delegation of the |Funds fully allocated. Measure |
| |scale agricultural enterprises (US$1.2 billion for |Russian Federation |expired. |
| |2009). |(6 November 2008). | |
|Singapore |Stimulus Package (US$13.7 billion). The package covers|Permanent Delegation of |Implemented. No further updates|
| |areas such as saving jobs; stimulating bank lending; |Singapore to the WTO (Various|to the scheme. |
| |and enhancing business cash flow and competitiveness. |dates). | |
|South Africa |Customized Sector Programme for the textile and |Permanent Delegation of South| |
| |clothing industry, as part of the "Framework for South|Africa to the WTO (21 May | |
| |Africa's Response to the International Economic |2009). | |
| |Crisis". | | |
|Chinese Taipei |"New Zheng He Plan" stimulus package (NT$8.53 billion |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |(US$262.3 million)) including export credit, |Chinese Taipei to the WTO | |
| |re-lending facility, and export insurance. |(25 December 2008). | |
|Chinese Taipei |Commodity Tax on cars (passenger sedans, trucks, and |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |dual-purpose vehicles with an engine of 2,000 cc or |Chinese Taipei to the WTO | |
| |less) purchased and registered between 19 January and |(January 2009). | |
| |31 December 2009 can be reduced by a maximum of | | |
| |NT$30,000 (US$922). The measure applies to both | | |
| |domestic and imported cars. | | |
|Thailand |"Abhisit" Stimulus Package (B 116.7 billion (US$3.5 |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |billion)). |Thailand to the WTO (March | |
| |Financial support for SMEs, and measures to stimulate |2009). | |
| |tourism. | | |
|Thailand |"Strong Thailand", second "Abhisit" Stimulus Package |Permanent Delegation of |The second Abhisit was approved|
| |(B 1.56 trillion (US$46.6 billion) for 2010-12. |Thailand to the WTO (7 April |on 7 April 2009, and launched |
| |Measures include development in water management, |2009). |in September 2009. |
| |transportation and logistics, education and public | | |
| |health, and tourism. | | |
|Turkey |General stimulus package such as financial support |Permanent Delegation of |The fund was fully utilized. |
| |(with zero interest rates) through Small and Medium |Turkey to the WTO (17 March | |
| |Sized Industry Development Organization and Trade |2009). | |
| |Credit Facility (US$650 million) for SMEs. | | |
|Turkey |Temporary (three months) reduction of domestic taxes |Permanent Delegation of |The measure was removed on 30 |
| |(VAT and special consumption taxes) for cars, new |Turkey to the WTO (18 March |September 2009. |
| |houses, and various durable goods. |2009). | |
|Turkey |Loan guarantee support mechanism (TL 1 billion |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |(US$670.1 million)) for SMEs, guaranteeing 65% of the |Turkey to the WTO (15 July | |
| |loans. |2009). | |
|Turkey |General incentive scheme for large scale investments |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |in certain sectors for reducing regional differences |Turkey to the WTO (16 July | |
| |in development. |2009). | |
|Annex 2 (cont'd) |
|United States |The US Auto Industry Financing Programme aimed at |Permanent Delegation of the |Restructured Chrysler emerged |
| |stabilizing the US automotive industry through loans |United States to the WTO (19 |form bankruptcy on 10 June 2009|
| |to General Motors and Chrysler. Under this programme,|December 2008). |under a new ownership structure|
| |US Treasury agreed to loan General Motors (GM) US$13.4| |(which includes partial |
| |billion (delivered in three instalments) and to loan | |ownership by FIAT). |
| |Chrysler US$4 billion. The US Treasury is currently | | |
| |evaluating the restructuring submissions received 17 | | |
| |February 2009, under the terms of the loans to GM and | | |
| |Chrysler. | |GMAC subjected to the "Stress |
| | | |Test". |
| |On 29 December 2008, US Treasury announced that it | | |
| |would purchase US$5 billion in senior preferred equity| | |
| |with an 8% dividend from GMAC LLC as part of a broader| | |
| |programme to assist the domestic automotive industry | | |
| |in becoming financially viable. Additionally, on 16 | | |
| |January 2009, the US Treasury agreed to lend up to | | |
| |US$1 billion to General Motors so that GM could | |Chrysler Financial fully repaid|
| |participate in a rights offering at GMAC in support of| |the US$1.5 billion loan on 14 |
| |GMAC’s reorganization as a bank holding company. GM | |July 2009. |
| |drew US$884 million under this commitment. | | |
| |On 16 January 2009, US Treasury announced a US$1.5 | | |
| |billion five-year loan to a special purpose entity | | |
| |created by Chrysler Financial to finance retail | | |
| |automotive purchases. | | |
|United States |New additional loan to General Motors Corporation |Permanent Delegation of the | |
| |(US$2 billion) to provide working capital for the |United States to the WTO | |
| |company (prior to its bankruptcy filling). |(April-July 2009). | |
| |GM filed bankruptcy proceedings on 1 June 2009, and | | |
| |has been offered additional US$30.1 billion | | |
| |debtor-in-possession loan by the US Treasury. The loan| | |
| |is intended to benefit all of GM's continuing | | |
| |operations without regard to geographic location. | | |
| |The new entity, General Motors Company emerged from | | |
| |bankruptcy on 10 July 2009 after the completion of the| | |
| |sale of certain GM assets to the "New GM". The | | |
| |Government converted its loans to 60.8% of the equity | | |
| |in the New GM, loans in the amount of US$7.1 billion, | | |
| |and US$2.1 billion in preferred stock. | | |
|United States |American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) |Permanent Delegation of the | |
| |providing aid for US$787 billion (5.5% GDP). |United States to the WTO (17 | |
| | |February 2009). | |
|United States |Auto Supplier Support Programme (US$5 billion) |Permanent Delegation of the |US Treasury continued to |
| |available to all critical suppliers. The programme |United States to the WTO (19 |implement the programme. The |
| |provides the same benefits to foreign and local |March 2009). |amount of the commitment was |
| |suppliers, through financial protection on receivables| |reduced to US$3.5 billion as of|
| |from any domestic auto companies. | |8 July 2009. |
|United States |Grant (US$2.4 billion) for the development of new |Permanent Delegation of the | |
| |generation electrical vehicle (48 new advanced battery|United States to the WTO (5 | |
| |and electric drive projects), under the American |August 2009). | |
| |Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Projects were not | | |
| |restricted to US entities. | | |
|Uzbekistan |Stimulus package "Anti Crisis Action Programme |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |2009-2012", including support of the banking system, |Uzbekistan to the UN Office | |
| |to export companies and incentives for exports |in Geneva (January 2009). | |
| |through: preferential credit and tax rebates. | | |
|Annex 2 (cont'd) |
NON-VERIFIED INFORMATION
|Country/ |Measure |Source/Date |Status (in force unless |
|Member State | | |otherwise indicated) |
|Egypt |Fiscal Package (LE 15 billion (US$2.7 billion)) to |EC Commission – Fourth Report| |
| |support the manufacturing and export activities |on Potentially Trade | |
| |(Export Development Fund (LE 3 billion (US$493 |Restrictive Measures. | |
| |million)). | | |
|India |Government support (incentives) for exports of leather|EC Commission – Fourth Report| |
| |and textiles sectors (US$67 million). |on Potentially Trade | |
| | |Restrictive Measures | |
| | |(1 April 2009). | |
|Japan |Government support through the Forestry Agency for |Press reports | |
| |lumber (¥50,000/m3 (US$554/m3), and for floor space to|(1 April 2009). | |
| |wood suppliers (¥135,000/m2 (US$1,495/m2) utilized in | | |
| |the construction of gymnasiums at public schools. | | |
|Mexico |Support measures (US$800 million) for the car industry|EC Commission – Fourth Report| |
| |(including car parts suppliers), through low |on Potentially Trade | |
| |interests. |Restrictive Measures. | |
|Nigeria |Stimulus Package (US$2 billion), financed by its oil |BBC News | |
| |windfall fund. |(10 October 2009). | |
ANNEX 3
Measures For Financial Institutions[55]
(October 2008 – October 2009)
VERIFIED INFORMATION
|Country/ |Measure |Source/Date |Status (in force unless |
|Member State | | |otherwise indicated) |
|Australia |Guarantee of deposits and wholesale funding of |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |Australian banks, building societies and credit |Australia to the WTO. | |
| |unions, Australia subsidiaries of foreign-owned banks,| | |
| |and domestic deposits of Australian residents with | | |
| |branches of foreign banks in Australia. All eligible | | |
| |deposits of up to A$1 million (US$909,200) are | | |
| |guaranteed for free. Deposits of over A$1 million | | |
| |(US$909,200), to be also guaranteed but with a fee. | | |
|Australia |Ford Credit Australia was authorized to participate in|Permanent Delegation of |Activated on 1 September 2009, |
| |the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) funding mechanism |Australia to the WTO (6 July |and effective until 31 December|
| |(up to A$550 million (US$500 million) over 12 months).|2009). |2009. |
|Brazil |Liquidity provision to the banking system (US$25 |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |billion). |Brazil to the WTO (4 March | |
| |Expansion of access to freely convertible currencies. |2009). | |
| |Banco Do Brasil and Caixa Economica Federal (Federal | | |
| |banks) authorized to constitute subsidiaries and | | |
| |acquire participation in financial institutions. | | |
|Canada |Extension of the Insured Mortgage Purchase Program |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |(IMPP) to purchase high quality insured mortgages to |Canada to the WTO (27 January| |
| |improve liquidity in the financial system and ensure |2009). | |
| |the availability of credit to consumers and businesses| | |
| |of financial institutions, by C$50 billion | | |
| |(US$46.5 billion) (an addition to the C$75 billion | | |
| |(US$69.7 billion) announced in the fall of 2008). | | |
|China |New rules governing financial services information |Permanent Delegation of China| |
| |providers, allowing them to compete more freely in |to the WTO (1 June 2009). | |
| |local market. | | |
|Dominican Republic|Stimulus Package covering monetary and fiscal measures|Permanent Delegation of the | |
| |("Cumbre de la Unidad Nacional Frente a la Crisis |Dominican Republic to the WTO| |
| |Económica Mundial"). |(January 2009). | |
|EC | | | |
|Austria |Support scheme for financial institutions aimed at |Public information available | |
| |stabilizing the financial markets by providing |on the European Commission's | |
| |guarantees, capital and loans. |website transmitted by the EC| |
| | |Delegation (9 December 2008).| |
|Austria |Recapitalization (€100 million (US$148 million) of |Public information available | |
| |Hypo Tirol Bank via a guarantee on capital subscribed |on the European Commission's | |
| |by private investors. The guarantee is from the Land |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |Tirol and will run for 10 years. It can be recalled if|Delegation (17 June 2009). | |
| |the bank fails. | | |
|Austria |Aid to Interbankmarktstärkungsgesetz (IBSG) and |Public information available | |
| |Finanzmarktstabilitätsgesetz (FinStaG) in the form of |on the European Commission's | |
| |a direct grant guarantee (overall budget €90,000 |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |million (US$133,200 million)) to remedy serious |Delegation (30 June 2009). | |
| |disturbances in the economy, from 1 July 2009 until 31| | |
| |December 2009. | | |
|Annex 3 (cont'd) |
|Austria |Recapitalization of Hypo Steiermark. |Public information available | |
| | |on the European Commission's | |
| | |website transmitted by the EC| |
| | |Delegation (23 July 2009). | |
|Belgium, France, |Dexia financial group: State guarantee granted to |Public information available | |
|Luxembourg |restore investor confidence and to encourage |on the European Commission's | |
| |inter-bank lending. |website transmitted by the EC| |
| | |Delegation (19 November | |
| | |2008). | |
|Belgium, |Additional aid measures stemming from amendments of |Public information available | |
|Luxembourg |the agreement between Fortis Holding, BNP Paribas, |on the European Commission's | |
| |Fortis Bank and the Belgium and Luxembourg |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |authorities. Belgium accepted to assume a larger part |Delegation (12 May 2009). | |
| |of the risk of the investment vehicle which will | | |
| |purchase impaired assets from Fortis Bank, Fortis | | |
| |Holding’s exposure being reduced accordingly. Belgium | | |
| |offered to provide guarantees on a new €1 billion | | |
| |(US$1.5 billion) loan from Fortis Bank to Fortis | | |
| |Holding and on financial liabilities of Fortis Holding| | |
| |towards Fortis Bank. Belgium gave to Fortis Bank a | | |
| |call option on the BNP Paribas shares it would | | |
| |acquire. Belgium accepted to provide Fortis Bank with | | |
| |a second loss guarantee on the structured credit | | |
| |portfolio retained by Fortis Bank. Belgium accepted | | |
| |that the investment vehicle, in which it assumes the | | |
| |largest part of the risk, purchases additional | | |
| |impaired assets from Fortis Bank. | | |
|Belgium Luxembourg|Restructuring aid (soft loan) for Kaupthing Bank |EC State Aid N 344/09 and N | |
| |Luxembourg SA (overall budget €320 million (US$473.6 |380/09 (OJ 2009/C 247/01) (9 | |
| |million)). |July 2009). | |
|Belgium |Recapitalization of KBC Group. |Public information available | |
| |Second recapitalization of KBC Group (€3.5 billion |on the European Commission's | |
| |(US$5.2 billion)) in line with the Guidance |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |Communication on state aid during the financial |Delegation (18 December 2008 | |
| |crisis; and temporary clearance to an impaired asset |and 30 June 2009). | |
| |relief programme. | | |
|Belgium |Insurance and banking group Ethias: State aid in the |Public information available | |
| |form of capital injection in the amount of €1.5 |on the European Commission's | |
| |billion (US$2.2 billion). The amount constitutes the |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |minimum required to enable the beneficiary to continue|Delegation (12 February | |
| |operations and provides for an adequate return on the |2009). | |
| |capital provided by the State authorities. | | |
|Denmark |Guarantee scheme for deposits and senior debt for the |Public information available | |
| |banking sector. |on the European Commission's | |
| |On 3 February 2009, recapitalisation scheme and |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |amendments to the existing guarantee scheme for banks.|Delegation (10 October 2008).| |
| |On 17 August 2009, prolongation of the scheme until 2 | | |
| |February 2010. | | |
|Denmark |Roskilde Bank: package of measures for its |Public information available | |
| |liquidation. Danish authorities provided a guarantee |on the European Commission's | |
| |for any losses in relation to this process. |website transmitted by the EC| |
| | |Delegation (5 November 2008).| |
|Denmark |Aid to Fionia Bank's restructuring, in the form of a |Public information available | |
| |credit facility (up to €685 million (US$1 billion), |on the European Commission's | |
| |and capital injection (€134 million (US$198.3 |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |million)). Under the terms of the rescue aid, all |Delegation (20 May 2009). | |
| |assets and liabilities (except subordinated debt and | | |
| |equity) will be transferred to a new entity. | | |
|Annex 3 (cont'd) |
|Finland |Guarantee scheme aimed at stabilising the financial |Public information available | |
| |markets by ensuring financial institutions access to |on the European Commission's | |
| |financing. The State guarantee would cover, against |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |remuneration, the issuance of new short and medium |Delegation (13 November 2008 | |
| |term non-subordinated debt with maturity between 90 |and 5 February 2009). | |
| |days and three years. A maturity of up to five years | | |
| |is limited to mortgage-backed bonds only (budget is | | |
| |capped at €50 billion (US$74 billion)). | | |
| |On 5 February 2009 the scheme was modified. | | |
| |Extension of the scheme until 31 December 2009. Also, | | |
| |its scope has been broadened, so that guarantees can | | |
| |now cover instruments with a maturity of up to five | | |
| |years. Previously, the maximum maturity was three | | |
| |years (except for covered bonds). | | |
|Finland |Kaupthing Bank: State guarantee ensuring full |Public information available | |
| |compensation against legal risks; three Finish banks |on the European Commission's | |
| |having settled Kaupthing deposit claims. |website transmitted by the EC| |
| | |Delegation (21 January 2009).| |
|Finland |Finnish recapitalisation scheme. Under the scheme the |Public information available | |
| |Finnish State would subscribe non-cumulative and |on the European Commission's | |
| |unsecured subordinated loan instruments issued by |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |eligible banks up to ¼ of the required amount of their|Delegation (11 September | |
| |own funds. The subordinated loans would be reimbursed |2009). | |
| |after three years and upon the approval of the | | |
| |Financial Supervisory Authority. The scheme's overall | | |
| |budget is capped at €4 billion (US$5.9 billion). Only | | |
| |solvent banks would be allowed to enter it. | | |
| |In particular, it provides for non-discriminatory | | |
| |access as it will be open to all solvent Finnish | | |
| |deposit banks, including Finnish subsidiaries of | | |
| |foreign banks. It is limited in time and scope, as | | |
| |both its global budget and amount per institution are | | |
| |capped. To benefit from the recapitalisation | | |
| |participating banks are required to pay a | | |
| |market-oriented fee, in line with recommendations from| | |
| |the ECB. Moreover, the scheme foresees substantial | | |
| |behavioural commitments for the participating | | |
| |institutions regarding executive pay and shares buy | | |
| |back. | | |
|France |Refinancing measures – guarantee and equity |Public information available | |
| |intervention for the banking sector. (The Société de |on the European Commission's | |
| |refinancement des activités des établissements de |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |crédit, SRAEC, will issue securities guaranteed by the|Delegation (30 October 2008).| |
| |State with a view to making loans to credit | | |
| |institutions against collateral). Total amount: | | |
| |€265billion (US$392.2 billion). Non-discriminatory | | |
| |access for banks authorized in France, including the | | |
| |subsidiaries of foreign groups. | | |
|Annex 3 (cont'd) |
|France |Capital injection into certain banks. Intervention is |Public information available | |
| |capped at €21.5 billion (US$31.8 billion) (amended 28 |on the European Commission's | |
| |January 2009). (It complements measure approved by |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |the EC Commission on 31 October 2008). First tranche |Delegation (8 December 2008).| |
| |(€10.5billion (US$15.5 billion)) already utilized to | | |
| |recapitalise the top six banks: Crédit Agricole, BNP | | |
| |Paribas, Société Générale, Crédit Mutuel, Caisse | | |
| |d'Epargne, and Banque Populaire. | | |
| |On 24 March 2009, the scheme was amended, modifying | | |
| |the terms governing the remuneration and reimbursement| | |
| |of the preference shares issued by the beneficiary | | |
| |banks in return for their recapitalisation by the | | |
| |State. | | |
| |On 12 May 2009, the scheme was extended. Apart from | | |
| |the period of the application, all other conditions | | |
| |(such as eligible institutions, remuneration and | | |
| |safeguards against possible abuse) remain as laid down| | |
| |in the original decision. (Beneficiary: credit | | |
| |institutions). | | |
|France |Further €2.45 billion (US$3.6 billion) capital |Public information available | |
| |injection into the institution to be created by the |on the European Commission's | |
| |merger between the Caisse d'Epargne and Banque |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |Populaire. |Delegation (8 May 2009). | |
|Germany |Hypo Real Estate (HRE): the German Federal Government |Public information available | |
| |together with a group of German financial institutions|on the European Commission's | |
| |provided loan guarantees totalling €35 billion |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |(US$51.8 billion), for covering HRE's re-financing |Delegation (2 October 2008). | |
| |needs until April 2009. | | |
|Germany |Rescue Scheme package (FMStG) intended to stabilize |Public information available |The scheme was amended on 12 |
| |financial markets by providing i.e. capital (through |on the European Commission's |December 2008, and prolonged on|
| |recapitalization scheme), guarantees (by issue of |website transmitted by the EC|22 June 2009. |
| |short- and medium-term debt) and temporary acquisition|Delegation (27 October 2008).| |
| |of assets. | | |
|Germany |Commerzbank: capital injection of €8.2 billion |Public information available | |
| |(US$12.1 billion) and a guarantee frame up to €15 |on the European Commission's | |
| |billion, both by SoFFin. |website transmitted by the EC| |
| | |Delegation (December 2008). | |
|Germany |Bayern LB: State support consisting of core capital |Public information available | |
| |increase of €10 billion (US$14.8 billion) and a risk |on the European Commission's | |
| |shield of an amount of €4.8 billion (US$7.1 billion) |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |through "Freistaat Bayern". |Delegation (18 December | |
| | |2008). | |
|Germany |NORD/LB: banking rescue aid in form of a guarantee |Public information available |Prolongation of the scheme on |
| |package. |on the European Commission's |10 September 2009, for six |
| | |website transmitted by the EC|months until 15 February 2010. |
| | |Delegation (22 December | |
| | |2008). | |
|Germany |IKB: State support to stabilise the bank. |Public information available | |
| |Second liquidity guarantee aid by SoFFin (up to €7 |on the European Commission's | |
| |billion (US$10.4 billion)) was granted on 17 August |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |2009. |Delegation (22 December | |
| | |2008). | |
|Annex 3 (cont'd) |
|Germany |SdB: Sicherungseinrichtungsgesellschaft deutscher |Public information available | |
| |Banken mbH: guarantee scheme (€6.7 billion (US$9.9 |on the European Commission's | |
| |billion)) by SoFFin to bolster the German Deposit |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |Protection Fund and to pre-finance future proceeds |Delegation (21 January 2009).| |
| |from the estates of insolvent Lehman Brother entities.| | |
|Germany |Recapitalization of Commerzbank. Second tranche of the|Public information available | |
| |capital injection in the amount of €10 billion |on the European Commission's | |
| |(US$14.8 billion). Presentation of a business plan |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |setting out measures to restore the viability of the |Delegation (7 May 2009). | |
| |bank. | | |
|Germany |Risk shield of WestLB and accompanying measures. The |Public information available | |
| |aid is conditional upon the approval of the |on the European Commission's | |
| |restructuring plan (reorientation of WestLB’s business|website transmitted by the EC| |
| |into less risky activities as well as change of the |Delegation (12 May 2009). | |
| |bank’s ownership structure through a public tender | | |
| |procedure before the end of 2011) by the statutory | | |
| |bodies of all of WestLB’s owners. | | |
| |On 7 October 2009 a temporary additional aid was | | |
| |granted. | | |
|Germany |Recapitalization (€3 billion (US$4.4 billion)) and |Public information available | |
| |risk guarantee (€10 billion (US$14.8 billion)) of HSH |on the European Commission's | |
| |Nordbank provided by the city of Hamburg and the State|website transmitted by the EC| |
| |of Schleswig Holstein. Restructuring plan to be |Delegation (29 May 2009). | |
| |presented within three months of the decision. | | |
|Germany |Recapitalization and asset relief for the Landesbank |Public information available | |
| |Baden-Württemberg (LBBW) by the German State of |on the European Commission's | |
| |Baden-Württemberg. |website transmitted by the EC| |
| | |Delegation (30 June 2009). | |
|Germany |Asset relief scheme (FMStFG) designed to further |Public information available | |
| |stabilize the financial markets by providing financial|on the European Commission's | |
| |institutions with the possibility of asset relief, as |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |an addition to the German rescue package authorized by|Delegation (31 July 2009). | |
| |the Commission in October 2008. In particular, the | | |
| |mechanism provides ex-ante transparency and disclosure| | |
| |of impairments, valuation of the assets based on their| | |
| |real economic value, a burden sharing of the costs | | |
| |related to the operation and adequate remuneration. | | |
| |Moreover, the enrolment period for asset relief is | | |
| |limited to six months. | | |
|Germany |Aid scheme (overall budget €9 billion (US$13.3 |EC State Aid N 400/09 (OJ | |
| |billion)) for IKB Deutsche Industriebank AG, from 1 |2009/C 247/02) (17 August | |
| |August 2009 to 31 December 2014. |2009). | |
|Germany |Export credit scheme. German public credit institution|Public information available | |
| |Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) would be allowed |on the European Commission's | |
| |to purchase existing export loans from banks. These |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |banks would have to use the cash received for granting|Delegation (15 September | |
| |new export loans to purchasers outside the EC. This |2009). | |
| |measure is authorised for six months. | | |
|Greece |Aid scheme providing eligible credit institutions with|Public information available | |
| |new capital and securities which can be converted into|on the European Commission's | |
| |liquidity with the ECB as well as guarantees on short-|website transmitted by the EC| |
| |and medium-term newly issued debt, under strict |Delegation (19 November | |
| |conditions. |2008). | |
|Annex 3 (cont'd) |
|Greece |Prolongation of the bank support scheme. Prolongation |Public information available | |
| |of the support package for credit institutions until |on the European Commission's | |
| |the end of 2009. The support measures consist in a |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |recapitalisation scheme, a guarantee scheme and |Delegation (18 September | |
| |support through the issuance of Greek State special |2009). | |
| |purpose securities to credit institutions. The | | |
| |authorization also covers an amendment made to the | | |
| |recapitalization scheme so as to adapt it to the | | |
| |Commission's Communication on recapitalization that | | |
| |was adopted after the approval of the original scheme.| | |
|Hungary |Financial support measures providing eligible credit |Public information available |Prolongation and modification |
| |institutions with new capital and guarantees on short-|on the European Commission's |of the scheme on 3 September |
| |and medium-term newly issued debt, under strict |website transmitted by the EC|2009, until 31 December 2009. |
| |conditions. |Delegation (12 February | |
| | |2009). | |
|Hungary |Mortgage Support Scheme. |Public information available | |
| | |on the European Commission's | |
| | |website transmitted by the EC| |
| | |Delegation (13 July 2009). | |
|Ireland |Guarantee of deposits and debts of six banks (Allied |Public information available | |
| |Irish Bank, Bank of Ireland, Anglo Irish Bank, Irish |on the European Commission's | |
| |Life and Permanent, Irish Nationwide Building Society,|website transmitted by the EC| |
| |and the Educational Building Society). |Delegation (13 October 2008).| |
|Ireland |Anglo Irish Bank: recapitalisation of €4 billion |Public information available | |
| |(US$5.9 billion). |on the European Commission's | |
| |On 26 June 2009, recapitalization worth €3 billion |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |(US$4.4 billion). On 6 August 2009 recapitalization |Delegation (14 January 2009).| |
| |worth €827 million (US$1.2 billion). On 25 September | | |
| |2009 recapitalization worth €173 million (US$256 | | |
| |million). The measure will help preserve an adequate | | |
| |level of "core tier 1 capital" even after further | | |
| |impairment. It will not change the ownership | | |
| |structure of the state–owned bank. Part of the €4 | | |
| |billion (US$5.9 billion) has been used to buy back at | | |
| |discount certain outstanding subordinated loans. | | |
| |In-depth restructuring plan is to be submitted and | | |
| |will be subject to approval by the EC Commission. | | |
| |Change of ownership on 17 February 2009. | | |
|Ireland |Bank of Ireland: emergency recapitalization worth €3.5|Public information available | |
| |million (US$5.2 million) granted by State authorities.|on the European Commission's | |
| |The shares issued qualify as "core tier 1 capital". |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |They will produce a dividend of 8% payable annually, |Delegation (26 March 2009). | |
| |at the discretion of the bank and in priority to | | |
| |dividends on ordinary shares, with detachable warrants| | |
| |after five years. The shares will carry 25% of the | | |
| |voting rights in Bank of Ireland. The bank can | | |
| |repurchase the shares at par during maximum five | | |
| |years. After that period, shares can be repurchased at| | |
| |125% of par. On purchase of the preference shares, the| | |
| |State will also receive an option to purchase 25% of | | |
| |the existing ordinary shares in the bank. This option | | |
| |may be exercised from the fifth to the tenth | | |
| |anniversary of the preferred shares’ purchase. | | |
|Annex 3 (cont'd) |
|Ireland |Recapitalization worth €3.5 billion (US$5.2 billion) |Public information available | |
| |of Allied Irish Bank. The shares issued qualify as |on the European Commission's | |
| |"core tier 1 capital". They will produce a dividend of|website transmitted by the EC| |
| |8% payable annually, at the discretion of the bank and|Delegation (12 May 2009). | |
| |in priority to dividends on ordinary shares, with | | |
| |detachable warrants after five years. Dividends on | | |
| |the shares are payable in cash, or - if the bank is | | |
| |not able to pay in cash - in ordinary shares in lieu. | | |
| |The shares will carry 25% of the voting rights in | | |
| |Allied Irish Bank. The bank can repurchase the shares| | |
| |at par during maximum five years. After that period, | | |
| |shares can be repurchased at 125% of par. No | | |
| |dividends on ordinary shares are allowed when no | | |
| |dividend on the shares to be issued is paid to the | | |
| |State. On purchase of the preference shares, the | | |
| |State will also receive an option to purchase 25% of | | |
| |the existing ordinary shares in the bank (the | | |
| |"warrants"). This option may be exercised from the | | |
| |fifth to the tenth anniversary of the preferred | | |
| |shares' purchase. | | |
|Italy |State guarantee on new liabilities issued by banks for|Public information available |Prolongation of the scheme on |
| |maturities longer than three months and up to five |on the European Commission's |16 June 2009. |
| |years, six months renewable swap between bank's debt |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |certificates and Treasury bills, whose interest rate |Delegation (14 November | |
| |and maturity perfectly match, so as to ensure an |2008). | |
| |identical cash flow and straightforward pricing and | | |
| |also guarantee for banks in favour of third parties | | |
| |lending them high-grade assets which are in turn used | | |
| |by banks in the Eurosystem to obtain refinancing. | | |
|Italy |Recapitalisation scheme for financial institutions, |Public information available |Amended on 20 February 2009 to |
| |providing the possibility to subscribe subordinated |on the European Commission's |provide capital to credit |
| |debt instruments, to be counted as bank "core tier 1 |website transmitted by the EC|institutions. Prolongation of |
| |capital". The overall budget will be around €15-20 |Delegation (23 December |the scheme on 6 October 2009. |
| |billion (US$22.2-29.6 billion). |2008). | |
| |Only fundamentally sound banks as determined by their | | |
| |credit default swaps spread level, their ratings and | | |
| |the additional assessment to be made by the Bank of | | |
| |Italy will be eligible for the recapitalization. The | | |
| |Bank of Italy will regularly monitor how the funds | | |
| |will be put to use to sustain lending to the real | | |
| |economy. Duration until 30 December 2009. | | |
|Latvia |JSC Parex Banka: package consisting of a State |Public information available |This measure will be in force |
| |guarantee covering certain existing and new loans, of |on the European Commission's |until the approval of Parex |
| |a State one-year deposit to support the bank's |website transmitted by the EC|Banka's restructuring plan |
| |immediate liquidity needs and of subordinated loans to|Delegation (24 November |(expected by the end of 2009). |
| |strengthen its capital base. |2008). | |
| |Amendments to State support on 11 May 2009. Latvia | | |
| |will strengthen the bank's capital basis with the aim | | |
| |to achieve a capital adequacy ratio of 11% by issuing | | |
| |ordinary shares, qualifying as "tier 1 capital" and | | |
| |subordinated term debt qualifying as "tier 2 capital".| | |
| |The State will purchase these against adequate | | |
| |remuneration. | | |
|Latvia |Support scheme for banks in form of a guarantee |Public information available |Prolongation of the scheme on |
| |covering liabilities. |on the European Commission's |30 June 2009, which is expected|
| | |website transmitted by the EC|to end by 31 December 2009. |
| | |Delegation (22 December | |
| | |2008). | |
|Annex 3 (cont'd) |
|Netherlands |Guarantee scheme for all solvent financial |Public information available | |
| |institutions with significant activities in the |on the European Commission's | |
| |Netherlands, including subsidiaries of foreign banks |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |(capped at €200 billion (US$296 billion)). |Delegation (30 October 2008) | |
| |On 7 July 2009, prolongation and amendments of the | | |
| |scheme in the form of a guarantee (overall budget | | |
| |€200,000 million (US$296,000 million), from 30 June | | |
| |2009 until 31 December 2009. | | |
|Netherlands |ING: emergency intervention (€10 billion (US$14.8 |Public information available | |
| |billion)) in the form of recapitalization granted via |on the European Commission's | |
| |special type of securities. |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |Illiquid asset back-up facility (31 March 2009). Under|Delegation (13 November | |
| |the transaction, the Dutch State will buy the right to|2008). | |
| |receive the cash flows on 80% of US$39 billion | | |
| |portfolio, mostly consisting of "Alt-A" mortgages, by | | |
| |paying ING about US$28 billion. That amount will be | | |
| |paid by the Dutch State in accordance with a | | |
| |pre-agreed payment schedule. | | |
| |Temporary clearance for six months on 15 September | | |
| |2009. | | |
|Netherlands |AEGON N.V: recapitalization (€3 billion (US$4.4 |Public information available | |
| |billion)) through a special type of securities. |on the European Commission's | |
| | |website transmitted by the EC| |
| | |Delegation (27 November | |
| | |2008). | |
|Netherlands |SNS REAAL N.V: emergency recapitalization (€750 |Public information available | |
| |million (US$1.1 billion)). |on the European Commission's | |
| | |website transmitted by the EC| |
| | |Delegation (10 December | |
| | |2008). | |
|Poland |Bank guarantee scheme. State Treasury guarantees for |Public information available | |
| |the issuance of new senior debt by banks and liquidity|on the European Commission's | |
| |support measures in the form of Treasury bonds, either|website transmitted by the EC| |
| |as a loan or to be sold with deferred payment. Debt |Delegation (25 September | |
| |guarantees on newly issued debt will be available only|2009). | |
| |to credit institutions. Should the State guarantee be | | |
| |called upon by a beneficiary or should the beneficiary| | |
| |default on its liabilities related to Treasury bonds, | | |
| |a restructuring plan will be submitted within six | | |
| |months. The remuneration for the debt guarantees will | | |
| |be established in line with the ECB recommendations | | |
| |and the remuneration for the lending of Treasury bonds| | |
| |or for deferred payments for Treasury bonds will be | | |
| |even higher than for the guarantees. | | |
| |Eligible institutions may apply for the support under | | |
| |the scheme until 31 December 2009, but support may be | | |
| |granted later, within the six month period as from the| | |
| |day of the adoption of this decision. | | |
|Portugal |State guarantees (€20 billion (US$29.6 billion)) for |Public information available | |
| |financing agreements and the emission of non |on the European Commission's | |
| |subordinated short-and medium-term debt. |website transmitted by the EC| |
| | |Delegation (29 October 2008).| |
|Annex 3 (cont'd) |
|Portugal |State guarantee, assisted by collaterals, on a €450 |Public information available | |
| |million (US$666 million) loan granted by six |on the European Commission's | |
| |Portuguese banks to Banco Privado Portugues. The loan |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |has a duration of six months and can only be used to |Delegation (13 March 2009). | |
| |face liabilities as registered in the balance sheet on| | |
| |24 November 2008. The aid constitutes a temporary | | |
| |measure and Portugal has committed to provide a | | |
| |restructuring plan for Banco Privado Portugues within | | |
| |six months of the state intervention. | | |
|Portugal |Bank recapitalization scheme. The measure will make |Public information available | |
| |available new capital to eligible credit institutions,|on the European Commission's | |
| |in exchange for instruments eligible as "tier 1 |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |capital" (ordinary or preference shares). The size of |Delegation (20 May 2009). | |
| |the scheme is limited both as regard the overall | | |
| |amount (capped at €4 billion (US$5.9 billion)) and in | | |
| |respect of individual beneficiaries (maximum 2% of the| | |
| |credit institutions' risk weighted assets). | | |
|Slovenia |Guarantee scheme. Budget capped at €12 billion |Public information available | |
| |(US$17.8 billion). Available to all solvent Slovenian |on the European Commission's | |
| |credit institutions, including Slovenian subsidiaries |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |of foreign banks. |Delegation (12 December | |
| |On 22 June 2009, prolongation of the scheme. The |2008). | |
| |state guarantee was to cover the issuance of new short| | |
| |and medium term non-subordinated debt with a maturity | | |
| |between 90 days and five years. The scheme's overall | | |
| |budget is capped at €12 billion (US$17.8 billion). | | |
| |(Beneficiary: credit institutions). | | |
|Slovenia |Liquidity scheme for financial sector, to provide |Public information available | |
| |short and medium term financing to credit institutions|on the European Commission's | |
| |unable to obtain funds on the financial markets. |website transmitted by the EC| |
| | |Delegation (20 March 2009). | |
|Spain |"Fondo de Adquisición de Activos Financieros" Scheme |Public information available |Prolongation of the scheme on 7|
| |intended to stabilize financial markets by providing |on the European Commission's |August 2009 until 31 December |
| |liquidity to eligible institutions. The measure |website transmitted by the EC|2009. |
| |consists of reverse auctions with a |Delegation (4 November 2008).| |
| |government–sponsored fund purchasing assets outright | | |
| |or on a temporary basis via so-called repurchase | | |
| |agreement. | | |
| |The Fund has a total budget of €30 billion (US$44.4 | | |
| |billion), to purchase high quality mortgage backed | | |
| |securities (AA-rated or higher, depending on the type | | |
| |of transaction) from credit institutions in order to | | |
| |provide extra liquidity. | | |
|Spain |Guarantee scheme, where State guarantee would cover, |Public information available |Measure to be in force until 15|
| |against remuneration, the issuance of notes, bonds and|on the European Commission's |December 2009 (pending final |
| |obligations admitted to the official secondary market |website transmitted by the EC|decision on an additional |
| |in Spain. Estimated budget is capped at €100 billion |Delegation (22 December |six-month prolongation |
| |(US$148 billion) and can increase to €200 billion |2008). |request). |
| |(US$296 billion). | | |
| |On 25 June 2009, prolongation of the scheme for six | | |
| |months. While the maturity of the financial | | |
| |instruments covered is in principle between three | | |
| |months and three years, guarantees could be extended | | |
| |to instruments with a maturity of up to five years in | | |
| |exceptional circumstances. Spain re-notified the | | |
| |extension of the scheme to the Commission. | | |
|Annex 3 (cont'd) |
|Sweden |Rescue package which consists of a guarantee scheme |Public information available |Prolongation of the scheme on 8|
| |covering new issuances of short-and medium-term |on the European Commission's |October 2009 until 30 April |
| |non-subordinated debt. The total amount of debt to be |website transmitted by the EC|2010. |
| |covered is capped at approximately €150 billion |Delegation (29 October 2008).| |
| |(US$222 billion). | | |
| |On 28 January 2009, the scheme was modified. | | |
| |Amendments concern, inter alia, the cancellation of | | |
| |growth restrictions of participating banks. | | |
| |On 28 April 2009, new amendments to the scheme. The | | |
| |changes concern the prolongation of the scheme’s | | |
| |validity until 31 October 2009 (instead of 30 April | | |
| |2009) and the extension of its scope by including | | |
| |uncollateralized debt instruments with a term of up to| | |
| |five years (instead of three years), which could | | |
| |amount up to one third only of a total of SKr 1,500 | | |
| |billion (US$212.1 billion). Changes to the eligibility| | |
| |criteria for institutions covered by the scheme. | | |
| |Participating banks will only need to meet the basic | | |
| |legal capital requirements (and not the enhanced | | |
| |capital levels like before). | | |
|Sweden |Carnegie Investment Bank: emergency rescue aid worth |Public information available | |
| |€225 million (US$333 million). |on the European Commission's | |
| | |website transmitted by the EC| |
| | |Delegation (15 December | |
| | |2008). | |
|Sweden |Recapitalization scheme for fundamentally sound banks |Public information available |Prolongation of the scheme on 5|
| |providing capital to banks. Allows government to |on the European Commission's |August 2009, for six months |
| |provide share capital. |website transmitted by the EC|until 17 February 2010. |
| | |Delegation (11 February | |
| | |2009). | |
|United Kingdom |Bradford & Bingley: nationalization and winding down |Public information available | |
| |of the bank, the sale of its retail deposit book and |on the European Commission's | |
| |branches along with a matching cash element to Abbey |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |National and the provision of a working capital |Delegation (1 October 2008). | |
| |facility and guarantee arrangements. | | |
|United Kingdom |Financial support measures – guarantee and provision |Public information available | |
| |of risk capital for banks. Two types of measures: |on the European Commission's | |
| |recapitalization scheme (up to £50 billion (US$81.8 |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |billion), and guarantee scheme (up to £250 billion |Delegation (13 October 2008).| |
| |(US$409 billion)). Available to any financial | | |
| |institution with substantial business in the UK. | | |
| |On 15 April 2009, extension of the scheme. Banks that | | |
| |benefit from the schemes have to agree in turn to | | |
| |provide loans to companies in the real economy and | | |
| |individuals. The UK considered that the original limit| | |
| |on guaranteed issue of £250 billion (US$409 billion) | | |
| |remained appropriate. The amount set aside for | | |
| |recapitalization remained £50 billion (US$81.8 | | |
| |billion). The eligible beneficiaries remained | | |
| |fundamentally sound banks, with eligible liabilities | | |
| |of above £500 million (US$818 million). A capital | | |
| |injection into a bank that has already accessed the | | |
| |recapitalization scheme, however, will be subject to | | |
| |individual notification and approval. | | |
| |A second prolongation was authorized on 13 October | | |
| |2009. | | |
|Annex 3 (cont'd) |
|United Kingdom |Guarantee scheme to support the provision of working |Public information available | |
| |capital loans to financial businesses operating in the|on the European Commission's | |
| |UK market, including subsidiaries of foreign firms. |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |The UK Government will provide a guarantee of up to |Delegation (24 March 2009). | |
| |50% in respect of portfolios of working capital loans | | |
| |to sound, credit worthy companies with an annual | | |
| |turnover of up to £500 million (US$818 million). This | | |
| |scheme has a budget of £10 billion (US$16.4 billion), | | |
| |and its duration is limited to two years. | | |
|United Kingdom |Asset-Backed Securities Guarantee Scheme. The measure|Public information available | |
| |is focused on mortgage lending and intends to restore |on the European Commission's | |
| |one of the main sources of leverage that UK banks |website transmitted by the EC| |
| |used. Under the scheme, investors will benefit from |Delegation (21 April 2009). | |
| |the guarantee provided to securities issued by special| | |
| |purpose vehicles collateralised with residential | | |
| |mortgages. Guarantees allocated under the scheme will| | |
| |be limited to a total of £50 billion (US$81.8 | | |
| |billion). | | |
|Jamaica |Bank of Jamaica provided US$168 million in liquidity |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |to the banking sector. |Jamaica to the WTO. | |
|Japan |Recapitalisation scheme (Act on Special Measures for |Permanent Delegation of Japan|Effective until 31 March 2012. |
| |Strengthening Financial Functions), for up to ¥12 |to the WTO (12 December | |
| |trillion (US$132.9 billion). Deposit-taking |2008). | |
| |institutions. | | |
|Korea, Rep. of |State guarantee for up to three years for foreign |Permanent Delegation of Korea| |
| |currency denominated inter-bank loans made between 20 |to the WTO (20 October 2008).| |
| |October 2008 and 30 June 2009, to stabilize Korea's | | |
| |financial markets and prevent potential comparative | | |
| |disadvantages. The programme applies equally to local| | |
| |and foreign banks constituted under Korean law. The | | |
| |total size of this programme will be US$100 billion. | | |
| |Liquidity support (by the Government and the Bank of | | |
| |Korea) of up to US$30 billion to foreign and domestic | | |
| |banks to relieve liquidity problems. | | |
|Korea, Rep. of |Extension of State guarantee (US$100 billion) for up |Permanent Delegation of Korea| |
| |to five years for foreign currency denominated banks' |to the WTO (March 2009). | |
| |borrowings made between 20 October 2008 and 31 | | |
| |December 2009. The programme applies equally to local | | |
| |and foreign banks constituted under Korean Law. | | |
|Korea, Rep. of |Restructuring Fund established on 13 May 2009. The |Permanent Delegation of Korea| |
| |Restructuring Fund will purchase until 2014 |to the WTO (13 May 2009). | |
| |non-performing loans from financial institutions and | | |
| |assets of the companies that undergo restructuring. | | |
| |The Fund may dispose of up to W 40 trillion (US$33.7 | | |
| |billion) through government-guaranteed bonds. The Fund| | |
| |is administered by the Korea Asset Management | | |
| |Corporation (KAMCO). | | |
|Annex 3 (cont'd) |
|Malaysia |Increase in foreign equity limits: greater flexibility|Permanent Delegation of | |
| |for domestic Islamic banks to enter into strategic |Malaysia to the WTO (28 April| |
| |partnership with foreign players through an increase |2009). | |
| |foreign equity limit (up to 70%); provided that these | | |
| |banks maintain a paid-up capital of at least US$1 | | |
| |billion; increase in foreign equity limits on | | |
| |investment banks, insurance companies and "takaful" | |Closing date for application of|
| |(Islamic insurance) operators (from 49% to 70%). A | |new licenses: 31 October 2009 |
| |higher foreign equity limit beyond 70% for insurance | |for specialized banks, Islamic |
| |companies may be considered if it can facilitate | |banks and Takaful; and 31 |
| |consolidation and rationalization of the insurance | |December 2009 for world-class |
| |sector. | |banks. |
| |Issuance of new licences: up to two commercial banking| | |
| |licences to be granted in 2009 to specialized banking | | |
| |players (up to three in 2011 to world class banks); | | |
| |two Islamic banking licences to be granted in 2009 to | | |
| |foreign players to establish new Islamic banks with | | |
| |paid-up capital of at least US$1 billion; and two | | |
| |family "takaful" licences to be granted in 2009. | | |
| |Locally incorporated foreign banks, will be allowed to| | |
| |establish 10 microfinance branches, and four new | | |
| |branches in 2010. | | |
| |Locally incorporated foreign insurance companies and | | |
| |"takaful" operators are allowed to establish branches | | |
| |nationwide without restriction, and to enter into | | |
| |arrangements with banking institutions. | | |
|New Zealand |Retail Deposit Guarantee Scheme, guaranteeing all |Permanent Delegation of New |The scheme was amended on 25 |
| |retail deposits of up to NZ$1 million (US$477,100) |Zealand to the WTO (12 |August 2009, and extended until|
| |with approved financial institutions for two years |October 2008). |31 December 2011. |
| |(until 12 October 2010). | | |
|New Zealand |Wholesale Funding Guarantee Facility to |Permanent Delegation of New |Fees of the Guarantee Facility |
| |investment-grade financial institutions in New Zealand|Zealand to the WTO (1 |have been reduced during the |
| |which have substantial New Zealand borrowing and |November 2008). |period. |
| |lending operations. The primary goal is to support | | |
| |the re-entry of New Zealand banks to regular foreign | | |
| |markets. | | |
|New Zealand |Additional temporary measures by the Reserve Bank to |Permanent Delegation of New |Removal and consolidation of |
| |enable local banks to access liquidity in exchange for|Zealand to the WTO (12 |the temporary emergency |
| |a broader range of assets such as bank paper and |December 2008). |measures expected by November |
| |asset-backed securities. | |2009. |
|Norway |Government Bond Swap Facility (NKr 350 billion |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |(US$62.1 billion)) for a period of up to five years. |Norway to the WTO (24 October| |
| |(Beneficiary: Norwegian commercial banks, saving |2008). | |
| |banks, and branches of foreign banks) | | |
|Panama |Fiscal stimulus package ("Programa de Estímulo |Permanent Delegation of | |
| |Financiero (PEF)") providing grants to local banks. |Panama to the WTO (September | |
| | |2008). | |
|Russian Federation|Anti-crisis Action Plan, including measures to |Permanent Delegation of the | |
| |stabilize the financial and banking system, through |Russian Federation 6 | |
| |measures such as: allocation of non-deposit credits |(November 2008). | |
| |for Russian credit organizations (US$50 billion). | | |
|Russian Federation|Increase of the authorized capital of Vnesheconombank |Permanent Delegation of the | |
| |(US$3,165 billion), and VTB Bank (US$5,6 billion), in |Russian Federation (15 June | |
| |order to insure the stability of the financial system.|and 7 July 2009). | |
|Annex 3 (cont'd) |
|Singapore |Special Risk Sharing Initiative (SRI) to address |Permanent Delegation of |Implemented. No further updates|
| |constraints of limited private insurance capacity: |Singapore to the WTO (various|to scheme. |
| |- Loan Insurance Scheme (LIS) provides private |dates). | |
| |insurance against default risks (maximum loan of S$15 | | |
| |million per group (US$10.4 million)). As from 1 | | |
| |February 2009, "Loan Insurance Scheme Plus" was | | |
| |launched as a complementary to the existing LIS. | | |
| |- Export Coverage Scheme (ECS) intended to cover | | |
| |insolvency and protracted defaults of end buyers | | |
| |(coverage up to 90%). | | |
| |The ECS would be effective from 1 March 2009 to 28 | | |
| |February 2010. | | |
|Switzerland |UBS: On 16 October 2008, announcement of transfer of |Permanent Delegation of |Upon conclusion of the transfer|
| |illiquid assets to the Swiss National Bank |Switzerland to the WTO (16 |of assets on 3 April 2009, the |
| |Stabilization Fund up to a maximum amount of US$60 |October 2008). |total volume of assets |
| |billion (UBS will finance 10% of the transfer). The | |transferred to the |
| |structured liquidation of the assets through the | |Stabilization Fund's portfolio |
| |Stabilization Fund will be due at the latest in 12 | |amounts Sw F 38.7 billion |
| |years. | |(US$37.9 billion). |
| | | | |
| |Strengthening of capital basis by Swiss Confederation | | |
| |(Sw F 6 billion (US$5.9 billion)) on 15 October 2008. | | |
| |On 19 August 2009, the Swiss Confederation exercised | | |
| |its right to convert all Sw F 6 billion (US$5.9 | | |
| |billion) of its holdings of UBS Mandatory Convertible | | |
| |Notes due in 2011. The placement with institutional | | |
| |investors of the newly issued UBS shares received upon| | |
| |conversion was completed on 25 August 2009. The share| | |
| |capital of UBS increased by Sw F 33.2 million (US$32.5| | |
| |million). | | |
| | | | |
| |(Note: a similar offer was extended to Crédit Suisse | | |
| |Group, which has refrained from making use of this | | |
| |option). | | |
|Trinidad and |The Central Bank has "bailed-out" a major financial |Permanent Delegation of | |
|Tobago |institution which had interests ranging from life |Trinidad and Tobago to the | |
| |insurance to methanol production, representing almost |WTO (February 2009). | |
| |25% of GDP. | | |
|United States |Federal Reserve Actions surrounding AIG (rescue |Permanent Delegation of the |See status below. |
| |package (US$85 billion), in exchange for 80% public |United States to the WTO. | |
| |stake in the firm). | | |
| | | | |
| |AIG Restructuring under the Economic Stabilization Act| | |
| |on 10 November 2008 (additional recapitalization | | |
| |(US$37.5 billion)). | | |
|Annex 3 (cont'd) |
|United States |TARP (Troubled Asset Relief Programme), under the |Permanent Delegation of the |Different programmes ongoing, |
| |Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, allowing|United States to the WTO (3 |such as: |
| |the Secretary of the Treasury to purchase, and to make|October 2008). |- The Capital Purchase |
| |and fund commitments to purchase, troubled assets from| |Programme has provided more |
| |any financial institution. Total amount foreseen: | |than US$200 billion to nearly |
| |US$700 billion (US$250 billion upon enactment, other | |700 banking organizations; |
| |US$100 billion if requested by the President, and | |- The Capital Assistance |
| |US$350 billion subject to Congressional approval). | |Programme aiming to ensure that|
| | | |US financial institutions have |
| |The Act defines "financial institution" as including | |sufficient high quality |
| |"any institution, including, but not limited to, any | |capital; |
| |bank, savings association, credit union, security | |- A Public-Private Investment |
| |broker or dealer, or insurance company, established | |Programme to help promote |
| |and regulated under the laws of the United States or | |liquidity in the market for |
| |any State, territory, or possession of the United | |legacy loans and securities; |
| |States... but excluding any central bank of, or | |- The Making Home Affordable |
| |institution owned by, a foreign government". | |Plan to facilitate refinancing |
| | | |for existing performing |
| | | |mortgage; and |
| | | |- Several small business and |
| | | |consumer lending initiatives. |
|United States |Treasury and Federal Housing Finance Agency Actions |Permanent Delegation of the |See status above. |
| |with respect to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (mortgage |United States to the WTO (8 | |
| |lenders rescue package). |October 2008). | |
|United States |Citicorp: guarantee scheme for troubled assets (US$306|Permanent Delegation of the |See status above. |
| |billion) and capital injection (US$20 billion), under |United States to the WTO (23 | |
| |the Targeted Investment Programme; complemented by the|November 2008). | |
| |Asset Guarantee Programme (2 January 2009). | | |
__________
-----------------------
[1] This Report covers the period October 2008 to October 2009. It is presented pursuant to Paragraph G of the Trade Policy Review Mechanism and aims to assist the TPRB to undertake its annual overview of developments in the international trading environment that are having an impact on the multilateral trading system. The Report is issued under the sole responsibility of the Director-General. It has no legal effect on the rights and obligations of Members, nor does it have any legal implications with respect to the conformity of any measure noted in the Report with any WTO Agreement or any provisions thereof.
[2] Circulated in WTO documents JOB(09)/2, WT/TPR/OV/W/1 and W/2, dated 26 January, 20 April and 15 July 2009, respectively.
[3] WT/TPR/S/219/Rev.1 and WT/TPR/G/219/Rev.1, dated 8 October 2009 and 6 October 2009, respectively.
[4] International Food Policy Research Institute, Issue Brief 56, Washington D.C., December 2008.
[5] WT/TPR/OV/W/2, dated 15 July 2009.
[6] In terms of market exchange rates, world GDP is projected to shrink by 2.3 per cent in 2009 before growing by 2.3 per cent in 2010.
[7] World Trade Monitor, 23 October 2009. Estimates based on partial data and subject to revision. All figures are seasonally adjusted.
[8] US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 29 October 2009.
[9] IMF, The Implications of the Global Financial Crisis for Low-Income Countries – An Update, 28 September 2009.
[10] World Bank, Protecting Progress: the Challenge Facing Low-Income Countries in the Global Recession, September 2009.
[11] Preliminary data for 2009 indicate a general decline in FDI inflows in developed, developing and transitions economies alike (UNCTAD, Trade and Development Report 2009). UNCTAD is expecting a slow recovery to start in 2010 (UNCTAD World Investment Report 2009, 17 September 2009).
[12] In developing countries and transition economies, UNCTAD data show that FDI inflows grew by 4 per cent in 2008, substantially lower than in 2007, but that there was a sharp decline in Q4.
[13] World Tourism Organization, Press release: "Increasing Confidence in 2010 recovery for the tourism sector", 2 October 2009.
[14] The report of the Second Global Review is reproduced in document WT/COMTD/AFT/W/15.
[15] Close to US$100 billion in new capacity, when divided by the roll-over factor.
[16] The amount utilized in the six months between London and Pittsburgh is US$71 billion.
[17] WTO documents JOB(09)/2 of 26 January 2009, WT/TPR/OV/W/1 of 20 April 2009, and WT/TPR/OV/W/2 of 15 July 2009.
[18] Secretariat calculations are based on the following methodology: (i) Only trade measures that are actually in force are covered; these measures are listed in Annex 1 of this Report. Measures that have simply been proposed, or that have not yet cleared the domestic legislative process, are not included. (ii) Where two measures (e.g. an anti-dumping and a countervailing duty) exist for the same country and the same product, import figures are only counted once. (iii) The value of trade covered is counted at the six-digit tariff line level, which is the most disaggregated level available from UN Comtrade. For many import restrictions, this overstates the value of trade affected by the measure, potentially by quite a lot; for example, an anti-dumping duty may only affect highly specific products from just a few firms.
[19] The number of anti-dumping investigation initiations increased by 28 per cent (209 initiations) compared with 2007 (163). Investigations involving the same product from more than one country are counted as separate and distinct cases.
[20] The total number of anti-dumping initiations in 2008 was 212. As of 28 October 2009, 171 initiations were recorded for the year. The third quarter of 2009 registered 23 per cent more anti-dumping initiations than the same quarter in 2008. Given the current trend, it would be reasonable to expect the total number of initiations in 2009 to be between 230 and 250, surpassing the 212 registered in 2008.
[21] The 2009 data reflect the situation as of 28 October.
[22] However, more countries have been lifting these trade restrictions recently than imposing new ones.
[23] ITU, Confronting the Crisis: ICT Stimulus Plans for Economic Growth, Second Edition, October 2009 and OECD, Communications Outlook 2009, September 2009.
[24] See, for example, UNCTAD, Information Economy Report 2009, October 2009 and The Global Opportunity in IT-Based Services: Assessing and Enhancing Country Competitiveness, by Randeep Sudan, et al., World Bank, 2009.
[25] See Op. Cit., as well as OECD, The Role Of Communication Infrastructure Investment In Economic Recovery, DSTI/ICCP/CISP(2009)1/FINAL, 19 May 2009.
[26] See Chiang, Christine Zhen-Wei, "Broadband Infrastructure Investment in Stimulus Packages: Relevance for Developing Countries", World Bank, 2009.
[27] WTO document WT/TPR/249 of 29 October 2009.
[28] Of the 266 RTAs in force, 162 were notified under GATT Article XXIV, 77 under GATS Article V and 27 under the the 1979 Decision of the GATT Council on Differential and More Favourable Treatment (Enabling Clause).
[29] WTO document WT/L/671, 18 December 2006.
[30] The data provided include the preferential tariffs to be applied between the parties throughout the period of implementation of the agreement as well as data on global imports by the parties and imports between the parties for a period of 3 years before the agreement's entry into force.
[31] Kawai and Wignaraja (2009), "Asian FTAs: Trends and Challenges", ADBI Working Paper Series No. 144, August 2009.
[32] Gary Hufbauer, Luca Rubini and Yee Wong, "Swamped by Subsidies: Averting a US-EU Trade War after the Great Crisis", Policy Note, 24 July 2009.
[33] OECD, "Trade and Economic Effects of Responses to the Economic Crisis – Preliminary Results", October 2009.
[34] OECD, "Policy Responses to the Economic Crisis: Investing in innovation for Long-Term Growth", Paris, June 2009.
[35] OECD, Responding to the Economic Crisis: Fostering Industrial Restructuring and Renewal, July 2009; and KPMG's Global Auto Executive Survey, 2009.
[36] The Economist, 19 September 2009; and KPMG's Global Auto Executive Survey, 2009.
[37] OECD, The Size of Government Procurement Markets (Paris: OECD, 2002).
[38] A large number of regional trade agreements contain provisions on government procurement. Often, these provisions are modelled partly on the GPA text.
[39] WTO Members that are covered by the GPA are: Canada; the European Communities, including the 27 Member States; Hong Kong, China; Iceland; Israel; Japan; Korea; Liechtenstein; the Kingdom of the Netherlands with respect to Aruba; Norway; Singapore; Switzerland; Chinese Taipei; and the United States.
[40] Agreement on Government Procurement, Article XXIV:7.
[41] WT/Let/647 of 30 July 2009.
[42] In this context, India tabled a proposal in the General Council to establish a Trade Information System based on Member notifications. See WT/GC/W/605 dated 3 July 2009.
[43] A Central Registry of Notifications in the WTO Secretariat records all notifications received, issues calls and reminders, and provides information on the content of notifications. A number of other databases based on notifications are also maintained in the Secretariat which are publicly accessible and cover areas such as tariffs (IDB as of 2010), SPS, TBT, and RTAs.
[44] The Committee's Fifth Triennial Review Report was to be adopted at the regular meeting of the TBT Committee to be held on 5-6 November 2009.
[45] WTO document G/MA/239 of 4 September 2009.
[46] G/AG/GEN/83 dated 2 April 2009.
[47] G/AG/GEN/85 dated 15 June 2009.
[48] Annex 6 of G/AG/R/55.
[49] For example, the organization and delivery of a Geneva-based Workshop on Agriculture Notifications back-to-back with the September 2009 meeting of the Committee on Agriculture.
[50] G/AG/GEN/86 dated 2 October 2009.
[51] WTO document IP/C/W/543 "Timeliness and Completeness of Notifications and other Information Flows".
[52] The inclusion of any measure in this table implies no judgement by the WTO Secretariat on whether or not such measure, or its intent, is protectionist in nature. Moreover, nothing in the table implies any judgement, either direct or indirect, on the consistency of any measure referred to with the provisions of any WTO agreement or such measure's impact on, or relationship with, the global financial crisis.
[53] These measures are also included in Annex 1.
[54] The inclusion of any measure in this table implies no judgement by the WTO Secretariat on whether or not such measure, or its intent, is protectionist in nature. Moreover, nothing in the table implies any judgement, either direct or indirect, on the consistency of any measure referred to with the provisions of any WTO agreement or such measure's impact on, or relationship with, the global financial crisis.
[55] The inclusion of any measure in this table implies no judgement by the WTO Secretariat on whether or not such measure, or its intent, is protectionist in nature. Moreover, nothing in the table implies any judgement, either direct or indirect, on the consistency of any measure referred to with the provisions of any WTO agreement or such measure's impact on, or relationship with, the global financial crisis.
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